Cleft Palate Repair Newport Beach
A cleft palate involves the roof of the mouth and may involve the alveolus (gum), hard palate, and soft palate. The cleft may be unilateral or bilateral. Repair of the cleft is generally performed between 8-10 months of age to prepare the child for the development of speech. During the repair, the existing palate tissue is moved to the middle and the muscle sling of the soft palate is reconstructed. The remaining open areas on the sides of the palate will heal on their own in very short order.
Many of the patients will require speech therapy to improve the quality of their speech. Occasionally the patients will require additional operations on the back of their throat around school age to improve the quality of their speech and to reduce hypernasality (too much air going out the nose with speech).
The cleft of the alveolus is generally repaired around 8 years of age, prior to the eruption of the permanent canine tooth. Many of the patients will require expansion of the palate to ensure the correct form of the dental arch by the orthodontist prior to performing the bone graft surgery.
Dr. Michael Sundine is a renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Newport Beach. Throughout his career he has helped many patients suffering from abnormalities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. He also performs cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck and facelift in Newport Beach. Other popular procedures at his practice include chin implant surgery, blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty in Orange County.
- Written on January 27, 2018
