The word "cleft" simply means a crack or divide. A cleft lip is simply the body incorrectly or incompletely closing the facial structures during development. This incomplete closing leaves a cleft, or divide, in the lip and/or palate of the new born. Below is an ultrasound showing a cleft lip
Clefts can be simply the lip (cleft lip).
Or they can be more severe and include the palate (cleft lip and palate).
In the cleft lip and palate the teeth are often involved.
Missing, misaligned, and or misplaced teeth can be common.
Clefts, no matter the severity, are normally very repairable
and the scare can be almost unrecognizable.
Thanks for the information about cleft lip surgery. You're right, clefts are easily repairable but some children do not have access to this level of care. I would encourage people to donate or volunteer for a cleft lip charity.
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