A cleft lip is a separation of the upper lip that can extend into the nose

To repair a cleft lip, the surgeon will first make an incision on each side of the cleft from the lip to the nostril

The cleft lip is then drawn together and stitched to create a normal "cupid's bow" shape to the upper lip

The scar left after surgery will gradually fade with time

When the roof of the mouth doesn't grow together properly, the condition is called a cleft palate. To repair it, the surgeon will make an incision along both sides of the cleft

Tissue is drawn together from both sides of the cleft to rebuild the roof of the mouth