Your premature baby

Premature babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
We don't understand all the causes but are looking for answers.
Learn about what to expect, now and in the year or so to come.

Does cleft lip or cleft palate cause dental problems?

A cleft lip or cleft palate that extends into the upper gums (where top teeth develop) can cause your baby to have certain dental problems, including:

Missing teeth
Too many teeth
Oddly shaped teeth
Teeth that are out of position around the cleft

Every baby with a cleft lip or palate should get regular dental checkups by a dentist with experience taking care of children with oral clefts. Dental problems caused by cleft lip or palate usually can be fixed. If needed, your baby can get ongoing care by a team of experts, including:

A dentist
An orthodontist to move teeth using braces
An oral surgeon to reposition parts of the upper jaw, if needed, and to fix the cleft