Cleft Lip and Palate

Barry H. Grayson, DDS
Judah S. Garfinkle, DDS, MS
Pradip R Shetye DDS, MDS, MOrthRCS
Lawrence E. Brecht, DDS
Stephen M. Warren, MD
Court B. Cutting, MD

Our team continues to evaluate the role of presurgical molding devices forthe dentoalveolus and nose. This important work allows a gingival closure tobe performed at the time of the cleft lip repair. Early data indicate thatthe majority of children treated this way do not require a secondary bone graftto close their alveolar cleft. Studies are underway analyzing the cleft lipand nose shape in three dimensions postoperatively.

An animal model for a critical-sized defect of the maxillary alveolus havebeen developed. This model is being used to evaluate the efficacy of variousbone promoting substances used in conjunction with a gingivoperiosteoplastyin closing alveolar clefts.

Dr. Grayson, in conjunction with Dr. Cutting, is developing a commercialsoftware program for the 3-D cephalogram and has also been working with hiscolleagues in the Cleft Palate Team to develop a technique of preoperativenasal orthopedics in the cleft lip/palate patient.