Comprehensive care for children with orofacial clefts — coordinated treatment that supports development, function, and confidence.
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Children born with cleft lip and/or palate face unique challenges that require specialized, multidisciplinary care throughout childhood and adolescence. These common birth differences affect not just appearance but also critical functions like feeding, speech development, hearing, and dental health. At Park Smiles NYC, our experienced team provides comprehensive cleft-related dental and oral care as part of a coordinated treatment approach, working alongside surgical specialists to support children with clefts throughout their developmental journey.
Cleft lip and palate treatment encompasses a coordinated series of interventions designed to address the functional and aesthetic challenges associated with these congenital conditions. A comprehensive approach involves multiple specialists working together from infancy through adolescence to support normal development and function while achieving the best possible aesthetic results.
Treatment typically begins shortly after birth with feeding guidance and pre-surgical care, followed by primary surgical repairs of the lip around 3-6 months of age and palate around 9-12 months. However, these initial surgeries represent just the beginning of a long-term care process. Throughout childhood and adolescence, children with clefts require specialized dental care, possible orthodontic treatment, speech therapy, additional surgical refinements, and ongoing monitoring of ear health and hearing.
At Park Smiles NYC, our role in cleft care focuses on the specialized dental and oral health needs of children with clefts, including management of dental development in the cleft region, orthodontic preparation for bone grafting procedures, coordination with surgical specialists for optimal timing of interventions, and ongoing maintenance of oral health despite the unique challenges posed by cleft anatomy. Our team works as part of a larger cleft care network, ensuring that each child receives comprehensive, coordinated treatment that addresses all aspects of their condition throughout their developmental journey.
Specialized care for children with cleft lip and palate. Our Manhattan team provides comprehensive treatment as part of a coordinated approach to support development and function.
Comprehensive cleft care provides essential support for normal function, addressing the various challenges that can affect feeding, speech development, hearing, and dental health. Specialized dental management helps overcome the increased risk of decay and developmental issues common in children with clefts, while coordinated orthodontic care supports proper jaw growth and tooth alignment despite the anatomical challenges present. This functional focus ensures that children with clefts can eat, speak, and breathe normally, supporting their overall development and quality of life.
Beyond functional improvement, appropriate cleft care significantly enhances facial aesthetics and symmetry, helping children develop positive self-image during socially important developmental periods. The coordination between dental interventions and surgical procedures optimizes both functional and aesthetic outcomes, with each specialist contributing their expertise toward the shared goal of normal appearance and function. These aesthetic improvements often provide significant psychological benefits, supporting children’s confidence in social interactions throughout childhood and adolescence.
Specialized cleft care delivered through a coordinated team approach ensures that each intervention occurs at the optimal developmental time, with treatments building upon one another for maximum benefit. This coordinated sequencing prevents the complications that can occur when interventions are performed without consideration of other aspects of cleft management. For families, this team approach also provides comprehensive guidance throughout the cleft care journey, helping navigate the complex sequence of treatments with clear direction and support at each stage.
Perhaps most importantly, appropriate cleft care supports normal psychological and social development by addressing both functional limitations and aesthetic concerns that might otherwise impact a child’s confidence and interaction patterns. By supporting normal speech development, comfortable social eating, and natural facial appearance, comprehensive cleft management helps children focus on typical childhood experiences rather than limitations or differences. This holistic approach recognizes that optimal cleft care addresses not just physical needs but the whole child, supporting their development into confident, well-adjusted individuals.
At Park Smiles NYC, our cleft lip and palate services are provided by our experienced team of specialists who understand the unique challenges and care requirements of children with orofacial clefts. Our staff includes professionals with specific training in cleft-related dental and orthodontic management. Dr. Jessica Brezel Kaplan and Dr. Dascher Branch-Elliman, our pediatric dentists, work alongside Dr. Hye Yoon “Helen” Choi, our orthodontist, to provide comprehensive care throughout your child’s development.
Our team’s approach emphasizes both specialized clinical expertise and compassionate patient interaction, recognizing the emotional aspects of cleft care for both children and parents. We maintain current knowledge of the latest advances in cleft management through ongoing education and participation in professional organizations focused on craniofacial differences. Throughout your child’s treatment journey, our entire staff provides supportive, age-appropriate care with clear communication about each phase of treatment and its importance in the overall care plan.
Our team brings specific training and experience in the dental and orthodontic management of children with cleft lip and palate. We understand the unique dental development patterns in cleft patients and utilize specialized techniques adapted for their specific needs. This expertise ensures appropriate interventions at each developmental stage, from early childhood through adolescence, addressing the changing challenges throughout the cleft care journey.
We work as an integrated part of the larger cleft care network, maintaining close communication with surgical specialists, speech therapists, and other providers involved in your child’s treatment. This collaborative approach ensures seamless coordination between different aspects of care, with optimal timing of interventions and shared decision-making that considers all treatment goals. For families, this integration simplifies the complex care process and ensures all providers are working toward cohesive treatment objectives.
Our practice provides a welcoming, supportive environment specifically designed for children with craniofacial differences. We understand the emotional aspects of cleft care and utilize age-appropriate communication techniques that build confidence and cooperation. Our team offers compassionate support not just for clinical needs but for the psychological aspects of living with a cleft, helping children develop positive self-image throughout their treatment journey.
Children with clefts face several common dental challenges that require specialized attention. Teeth adjacent to the cleft site may be missing (dental agenesis), malformed, or in some cases, extra teeth (supernumerary) may be present. Eruption patterns are often disturbed, with teeth emerging in unusual positions or rotations. Many children with clefts have enamel defects that increase decay risk, alongside anatomical irregularities after repair that can make oral hygiene more challenging. The maxilla (upper jaw) often shows growth restrictions related to surgical repairs, potentially leading to crossbites, underbites, or open bites that require orthodontic management. Additionally, the alveolar ridge (gum and bone where teeth attach) typically has a defect in the cleft region that may require bone grafting to support proper tooth eruption and alignment. At Park Smiles NYC, our comprehensive evaluation identifies these specific challenges in your child’s case, allowing us to develop a personalized management plan that addresses their unique needs throughout development.
Orthodontic care for children with clefts typically follows a multi-phase approach aligned with their developmental needs and surgical timeline. Initial evaluation should occur by age 5-6 to assess growth patterns and plan appropriate interventions. Early phase treatment often begins around ages 6-8, focusing on expansion of the upper arch and alignment of teeth adjacent to the cleft in preparation for alveolar bone grafting, which typically occurs between ages 7-10 depending on dental development. Following bone grafting and during the mixed dentition period, orthodontic management monitors eruption patterns and addresses crossbites or other developing issues with appropriate appliances. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment with full braces usually begins in early adolescence after most permanent teeth have erupted, often coordinating with potential jaw surgery in the late teen years for cases with significant skeletal discrepancies. Throughout all phases, timing is individualized based on your child’s specific developmental pattern, surgical needs, and overall treatment plan as determined by the cleft team.
Cleft care evolves significantly throughout your child’s development, with each phase addressing age-specific needs. Infancy focuses primarily on feeding support, initial surgical repairs, and monitoring ear health. During early childhood (ages 2-5), speech development becomes a central focus, with therapy addressing cleft-related articulation challenges and possible secondary surgeries to improve velopharyngeal function if needed. The early school years (ages 6-10) often center around dental and orthodontic preparation for alveolar bone grafting, alongside continued speech therapy and possible revision surgeries for lip or nose refinement. Adolescence brings comprehensive orthodontic treatment, potential jaw surgery for skeletal discrepancies, and final surgical refinements for optimal aesthetics as growth completes. Throughout all stages, our role at Park Smiles NYC adapts to your child’s changing needs, providing age-appropriate dental care, orthodontic management, and coordination with other specialists on your cleft team. This developmental approach ensures that each intervention occurs at the optimal time to support normal function, aesthetics, and psychological well-being.
At Park Smiles NYC in Manhattan, NYC, our mission is to provide every patient with exceptional care, prioritizing comfort, compassion, and excellence at every step.
We are dedicated to delivering outstanding results through personalized attention in a welcoming and supportive environment. Led by Dr. Krystle Kendall, D.M.D., our skilled team offers a full range of top-quality dental services—all conveniently available under one roof in Manhattan.
Our skilled team in Manhattan, NYC is dedicated to offering a comprehensive array of the very best dental services
Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry
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At Park Smiles in Manhattan, NYC, we make it easy for you to receive top-quality dental care in a convenient and accessible location. Whether you’re due for a routine checkup or seeking specialized treatment, our friendly team is here to provide exceptional service in a comfortable setting.
We look forward to welcoming you to our office and helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Schedule your appointment today!
If you are ready to enhance your smile, the experienced cosmetic dentists at Park Smiles NYC are here to help. Our dedicated team offers a comprehensive range of services, from orthodontics to teeth whitening, to meet all your oral health needs. We understand the importance of a healthy smile for your overall well-being and are committed to ensuring your satisfaction throughout your treatment journey.
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