CLEFT PALATE

For the last 30 years, Dr. Rutrick has directed and managed the treatment of orofacially deformed patients from newborn through adult.

All photos on this page show actual patients, used with permission.

Newborns

Because of advances in medical technology, parents in many cases find out through ultrasound that a child, still in the womb, likely has a cleft lip and/or palate. While the news may be a blow and seem overwhelming, it fortunately gives them time to prepare a medical team consisting of the neonatologist, obstetrician, pediatrician, plastic surgeon and pediatric orthodontist/dentist to address the birth defect.

Parenthood can be a wonderful experience for both mom and dad instead of a difficult ordeal.

The first priority is to ensure the newborn's ability to feed by closing the hole in the palate with an obturator, or artifical palatal retainer. It is critical that this happens the same day the baby is born.

A cleft palate often results in feeding difficulties, including choking, gagging and reflux. Sometimes the child will even lose its sucking reflex and refuse to eat. But without nourishment, the baby cannot gain the weight to reach the 10 pounds necessary for the initial surgical procedure to close the cleft which occurs at around 3 months of age.

Unlike the usual protocols that involve standard appliances with pins embedded into the palate, Dr. Rutrick's protocol is non-surgical, non-invasive and gentle. The opening in the palate is filled with a custom-fitted plastic denture, allowing the child to suckle efficiently.

Because the struggle and stress around feeding is so greatly reduced, the mother-child bond can form normally.

Aesthetically, the first lip closure surgery is a defining event for the child. In cases where the cleft involves the nose, Dr. Rutrick uses a series of non-surgical facial tractioning steps to bring together open sections of the face in preparation for the plastic surgeon. No general anesthesia is necessary. The result is less dissection, less stretching and less scarring because the tissue has been pre-surgically positioned for an optimal outcome.

If you are expecting or have recently given birth to a baby with a cleft lip or cleft palate, please call to learn more about how Dr. Rutrick can help you and your newborn.

Older Children and Adults

Dr. Rutrick also assists patients who have had incomplete or unsatisfactory results from prior treatment for their cleft lip or palate. We have had excellent success restoring function as well as appearance in a timely manner. Additional surgery is not necessarily required.

Because of the cleft, the maxilla (upper jaw) does not grow normally, resulting in a seeming mandibular (lower jaw) protrusion, or underbite. Dr. Rutrick addresses the maxilla's deficiency and corrects the alignment of the patient's bite.

Although this patient required jaw surgery to bring her clefted maxilla forward of her normal mandible, not all cases do.

If you are unhappy with the result of prior treatment for your cleft or that of your child, please call to schedule an appointment for a review and evaluation. We want people to feel good about themselves!

Case Studies

These are a few examples of Dr. Rutrick's cleft palate patients. Click the picture to see larger photos and more information about each case.

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from Birth to Adult

Teen

Of course, every person is unique. Each case requires its own treatment plan, and the time required to achieve the outcome will vary.