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How is a cleft palate treated?
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A cleft palate is typically surgically repaired by a plastic surgeon. This involves making an incision in the soft palate and closing it with stitches, or sometimes using a laser to seal off the gap. After surgery, patients will need to wear a splint for several weeks to keep their mouth closed. The procedure can be done as early as 6 months old, but most children are operated on between 12 and 18 months of age.