Cleft Lip and Palate: How To Get Dental Implants?

Kathleen asks:

My daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate, She has had several revisions and her surgeries are now complete, however, we are having a hard time finding anyone who will do an implant or even fill out a request for the insurance to pay for it. (medicaid) She needs three implants and because of the EEC syndrome her teeth basically crumble when the dentist works on them making a bridge of any kind out of the question. Where can we go? What is a solution for us?

Answered by: Dr. David R. Edenbaum

Marlton, NJ

Hi Kathleen,

There are several programs dedicated entirely to the treatment of cleft lip and cleft palate patients. Depending on the area of the country in which you reside, I would suggest you contact the nearest dental school. If they cannot assist you, they will be able to guide you to an appropriate facility. In our area, Cooper Medical center has a dedicated cleft palate team. It is important to find someone who is familiar with the complexities unique to your daughter’s condition. In the meantime, if she doesn’t have one already, an interim removable partial denture will provide esthetics and function until something definitive can be done.