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Cleft and Craniofacial Treatment

Craniofacial Orthodontic Care for Cleft Lip & Palate and Other Congenital Conditions

Craniofacial orthodontics is a highly specialized field focused on the diagnosis and management of patients with congenital and developmental craniofacial differences—such as Cleft Lip And Palate, Craniosynostosis, Hemifacial Microsomia, and other complex facial anomalies. These conditions often require interdisciplinary care that spans from infancy through adulthood, integrating orthodontic treatment with surgical and medical interventions.

At our practice, craniofacial patients benefit from the leadership of an experienced craniofacial orthodontist who brings extensive clinical expertise and a deep understanding of both dental and skeletal facial growth. The practice is also equipped with cutting-edge imaging and treatment technology, including the iCAT FLEX-17 CBCT system for ultra-low radiation, 3D diagnostic scans that support precise airway evaluation, surgical planning, and orthodontic care.

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Expertise in Cleft Lip and Palate Management

For patients with cleft lip and/or palate, orthodontic care is carefully timed across multiple phases of development. Our craniofacial orthodontist has advanced training and experience in:

  • Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM): Fabricating and managing NAM appliances to shape the nose and alveolar ridge in infants, improving surgical outcomes and facial symmetry before lip and palate repair.
  • Preparation for Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: Coordinating orthodontic space management and arch alignment for both unilateral and bilateral cleft cases, ensuring that the cleft site is optimized for bone graft success.
  • Orthodontic Expansion and Alignment: Guiding maxillary expansion and eruption patterns to establish a functional arch form and support long-term oral health, speech, and bite function.

Surgical Coordination and Advanced Technology

Our craniofacial orthodontist works closely with craniofacial and oral surgeons to plan and support complex surgical corrections. This includes extensive experience in:

  • Managing Maxillary and Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis: Monitoring and maintaining both internal and external distraction devices to promote controlled skeletal advancement in patients with jaw deficiencies or asymmetry.
  • Pre-surgical Orthodontic Preparation: Aligning the teeth and reversing dental compensations in preparation for LeFort I osteotomies (upper jaw) and Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomies (BSSO) (lower jaw), allowing for more accurate and stable surgical outcomes.
  • TAD (Temporary Anchorage Devices): Utilizing TADs as a highly stable source of anchorage for tooth movement and surgical coordination, improving efficiency and precision in both orthodontic and pre-surgical phases.

With these tools, the practice delivers treatment plans that are both predictable and individualized, improving long-term stability and surgical outcomes.

Comprehensive Care for Craniofacial Syndromes

In addition to cleft care, the practice provides orthodontic treatment for a wide range of craniofacial syndromes, including:

  • Craniosynostosis syndromes (e.g., Crouzon, Apert)
  • Hemifacial microsomia
  • Treacher Collins syndrome
  • Pierre Robin sequence
  • Other rare or complex conditions impacting jaw and facial development

Each patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their unique anatomy, growth pattern, and interdisciplinary needs. Our team works closely with plastic surgeons, pediatric specialists, and speech therapists to ensure a seamless continuum of care.

Dedicated to Lifelong, Interdisciplinary Care

Our practice is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based craniofacial orthodontic care that supports each patient through every phase of growth. From early orthopedic appliances to complex surgical planning and post-operative orthodontics, families can trust in the knowledge, technology, and experience of a team equipped to handle the most complex cases with precision and care.

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PhD Orthodontics
Contact Info
8202 Huntington Dr Unit B
San Gabriel, CA 91775

Phone: 626-684-2880

Office Hours
Mon, Tues & Thurs: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 2:00pm
Wed & Sun: Closed
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