Cleft Lip and Palate and Orthognathic Surgery in Colorado Springs and Woodland Park
Children’s Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs has a multidisciplinary Cleft Lip and Palate Team, and we at Inner Smiles Orthodontics are delighted to be a part of it. Dr. Sheila is a member of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and teaches clinical medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the Department of Otolaryngology.
Her knowledge and dedication to team-based care help us give patients with cleft and craniofacial problems coordinated, evidence-based care.
Is Orthognathic Surgery Recommended?
Orthognathic surgery may be indicated when the jaws are out of alignment, even if the teeth themselves appear straight. This may be due to genetics, growth discrepancies, trauma, or congenital conditions like cleft palate. Common goals of treatment include:
- Improving facial balance and profile
- Correcting a severe overbite or underbite
- Closing an open bite (when the front teeth don’t touch)
- Expanding a narrow upper jaw
- Addressing facial asymmetry
- Correcting congenital facial malformations (e.g., cleft conditions)
- Replacing degenerative jaw joints (TMJ)
- Relieving obstructive sleep apnea by improving the airway
In many cases, a single surgery can achieve multiple improvements in function, health, and appearance. Dr. Sheila will walk you through before-and-after examples of similar cases to help you feel confident in your care plan.
Orthognathic surgery may be necessary when the jaws are not in line, even if the teeth look straight. This could be because of heredity, differences in growth, trauma, or birth defects like cleft palate. Some common goals of treatment are:
- Enhancing facial symmetry and contour
- Fixing a bad overbite or underbite
- Fixing an open bite (when the front teeth don’t contact)
- Widening a small upper jaw
- Fixing unevenness in the face
- Fixing birth defects in the face, like cleft lip and palate
- Replacing jaw joints that are getting worse (TMJ)
- Making the airway better to help with obstructive sleep apnea
In a lot of circumstances, one operation can make several things better, like how well you work, how healthy you are, and how you look. Dr. Sheila will show you instances of similar cases before and after to help you feel good about your care plan.
Cleft Treatment Stages
Prenatal
Before Birth: Consultation with the team after a prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound
Infancy (Birth to 12 Months)
- 0–3 Months: Address feeding or breathing difficulties, perform hearing screenings, and begin NasoAlveolar Molding (NAM) if needed
- 3–6 Months: Cleft lip repair (cheiloplasty)
- 6–12 Months: Cleft palate repair (palatoplasty)
Toddler to Early Childhood (1–6 Years)
- Continued speech, hearing, and developmental evaluations
- Pediatric dental care
- Periodic ENT management (ear tubes are common)
School Age (7–10 Years)
- Expansion of the upper jaw with orthodontic appliances
- Alveolar bone graft to join cleft segments and stabilize teeth
- Closure of oronasal fistulas if present
- Early alignment of crowded or rotated teeth
- Preparation for future jaw growth guidance
Adolescence (11–17 Years)
- Skeletal anchorage and orthopedic jaw correction for underbites (typically around age 11)
- Full orthodontic treatment when permanent teeth are in
- Annual cleft team evaluations
- Lip and nose revision surgeries if needed
Young Adulthood (18+)
- Final orthodontic and surgical corrections, including jaw surgery if necessary
- Restoration of missing teeth with implants or prosthetics
We understand that this timetable can seem intimidating at first, but you are not alone. Our team is with you every step of the process. We’ll help you plan each step of your child’s care and make sure nothing gets lost in the shuffle. Timing is important, and your child’s health and confidence are worth getting right.
Our staff also helps families figure out how to use military coverage (EFMP), public insurance, and other programs that help. You focus on your child, we’ll handle the logistics.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Call (719) 268-7138 or fill out the chat form to set up your free assessment and see what our 5-star-rated care is like. Your first meeting includes:
A friendly greeting and talk with Dr. Sheila
Photos and a clinical exam
A look at your child’s treatment needs and when they need them
A look at more situations of cleft care that are similar
Our courteous front office staff will help you with your insurance and schedule.
Let us help your child with their cleft adventure. We’ll work together to help them attain the best, healthiest smile possible.
