Cleft Overview

Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate

Welcome to our Cleft Family!  We are very fortunate to live in a day and age where the treatment for clefts is very advanced.  We look forward to working with you to take care of your little one and making sure that their cleft becomes a simple scar, and doesn’t define who they are.

Introduction

Clefts occur in the first trimester of pregnancy.   The reason is usually unknown.  It occurs with a frequency of one out of 600-750 births. The probability is higher in families with members who have clefts but most kids born with clefts every year have no family history of cleft.  Each cleft is as unique in its appearance and severity and therefore each cleft  repair is unique.  Children can be born with an isolated cleft lip, an isolated cleft palate, or a mixture of both.

It is very important for parents to know that there is nothing you did to cause a cleft to develop and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it. Clefts just happen. Parents (especially mothers) need to know this.  Don’t give another thought to what ifs.  Focus all your energy on loving your new one and working with us to provide the best care and outcome.  If you have received a diagnosis before your child is born, make an appointment to come and speak to Dr. Griner who will explain what you need to know and put your mind at ease.

The team members at the Cleft & Craniofacial Institute of Utah have extensive passion and experience in treating patients with cleft lips and palates.  They treat each patient as a family memeber and are always looking out for their best interest.

Get Treatment for These Conditions:

• Cleft lip
• Cleft palate

Our Treatment Goals

Through a minimal series of surgeries, we can treat a cleft lip and cleft palate to restore your child’s ability to speak, eat, hear normally, and achieve a normal facial appearance.

At the Cleft & Craniofacial Institute of Utah, Dr. Griner treats any child born with a cleft as an individual with individual needs. Our entire team is experienced with cleft treatments, and we work hard to create some amazing results.