Cleft Lip & Palate
Our vision and our passion are to provide babies born with a cleft lip or palate with a better everyday life and improved well-being. We care deeply about helping babies and their families and pride ourselves on our holistic approach to the process of creating function every step of the way!
Our aim:
This is to reduce the complexity and minimise the number of anomalies regarding the cleft lip and palate and to restore the normal anatomical relationship to facilitate primary surgery.
At the request of the specialist treating your baby, the Queenswood CLP team will assist you and your baby for the first few months in the following ways:
– Manufacture and provide a customized feeding plate / nasoalveolar moulding (NAM) and Nasal Elevators
– Advise on weight and feeding
– Diagnostic photo’s
– Provide counselling and family support
– Tailor payment plans to suit your financial situation
– Assist with applications for a sponsorship if you are unable to financially cover the fees
Provide emergency sessions, which are available by prior arrangement and by appointment only.
Although we do our utmost to provide the best medical assistance, all babies treated by us must be declared medically stable by the paediatrician or attending doctor.
Cleft Lip & Palate Resources
At PretoriaSmile, we offer expert care for patients with cleft lip and palate, including personalised treatment plans and ongoing support throughout the recovery process.
What is Cleft Lip and Palate?
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that occur during early pregnancy when the tissue that forms the lip and/or the roof of the mouth (palate) does not fully come together.
This results in a gap or opening, which can vary in size and severity. These conditions are among the most common congenital anomalies affecting the head and face.
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Treated cases from PretoriaSmile
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Cleft Lip & Palate Booklets and Fact Sheets
Understanding NAM
NAM (Naseoalveolar Moulding) is a technique in which the alveolus (gum ridges) and/or nose are moulded with an appliance similar to an orthodontic retainer. [Learn More]
Success of the NAM Appliance