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What is a cleft?
The word "cleft" means opening or split. Cleft lip occurs very early in pregnancy-between the 4th and 7th week-when two separate sides of the upper lip fail to fuse properly. Cleft palate is a separate and distinct abnormality which occurs slightly later-between the 7th and 11th week of gestation-when the two sides of the roof of the mouth fail to fuse correctly.
There are many different degrees of severity of clefts. They can involve the lip, the hard or soft portions of the palate, and the dental arch (alveolus). They can involve one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). They can be partial or complete.
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