If the enamel is extremely thin or missing, the tooth becomes more susceptible to decay. In short, it is possible the clefting played a role in the formation of cavities on your son's teeth. Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when the lip and palate do not completely close together during formation of these structures. The formation of cleft lip, with or without cleft palate, occurs in about 1 in 1,000 births, and it is believed to be genetic, although no simple pattern has been determined. The treatment for cleft lip and palate can be extensive and take many years to complete.
Treatment requires involvement of a team of diverse health sciences personnel.
The good news is that treatment over the years has improved, thereby improving the quality of life for people born with this defect. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child's, please consult your family's health care provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. Inc. Legal Disclaimer. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment.