Cleft Palate

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. Sundine has had a longstanding interest in the treatment of complex congenital deformities in children. In addition to his extensive plastic surgery training, he also completed a fellowship in craniomaxillofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Sundine is the Medical Director of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at the Children's Hospital of Orange County. He actively participates in the Cleft/Craniofacial Team at the Children's Hospital.