Expert Cleft Lip & Palate Surgeon in Gulfport, MS
When a child is born with a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both (known as an orofacial cleft), it affects not only appearance but also essential functions such as feeding, speaking, breathing, and dental health. At South Mississippi Oral Surgery & Implant Center in Gulfport, MS, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons work closely within a multidisciplinary team to restore both function and confidence. We offer comprehensive care—from infancy through adolescence—utilizing advanced surgical techniques to achieve optimal outcomes in aesthetics, speech, and oral development.
What is Cleft Lip & Palate?
A cleft lip is a gap or opening in the upper lip, sometimes extending into the nose, while a cleft palate involves a split or opening in the roof of the mouth—conditions that arise when facial tissues don’t fuse properly during early fetal development. Surgical repair is typically performed:
- Around 3–6 months for cleft lip
- By 12–18 months for cleft palate
Proper timing balances functional needs—like feeding and early speech—with the child’s growth, ensuring the best long-term outcomes.
Comprehensive Team-Based Care
Successful cleft treatment relies on a coordinated, multidisciplinary team. At our Gulfport center, this includes:
- Oral & maxillofacial surgeons
- Plastic surgeons
- Pediatric dentists
- Orthodontists
- Speech-language pathologists
- ENT specialists
- Nurses, social workers, audiologists, and nutritionists
Each plays a vital role: surgeons perform repairs, orthodontists guide jaw and teeth development, speech therapists support communication, and others support hearing, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing. Together, we ensure treatment is holistic and tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Surgical Treatment & Staged Approach
Cleft care generally follows a staged treatment plan:
- Cleft Lip Repair (3–6 months) — Cheiloschisis surgery reconstructs the lip, restores muscle function, and reshapes the nostril for a natural appearance.
- Cleft Palate Repair (9–18 months) — Palatoschisis surgery closes the palate to facilitate normal swallowing and speech.
- Alveolar Bone Grafting (6–9 years) — Implants bone into the gum ridge to support developing permanent teeth and jaw continuity.
- Orthodontic & Jaw Alignment (adolescence) — Braces and sometimes corrective jaw surgery improve bite harmony.
- Revisions & Speech Support (as needed) — Nasal or lip revisions, speech enhancement, and airway procedures are provided over time.
This staged approach ensures functional and aesthetic outcomes progress smoothly alongside growth and development.
Why Choose South Mississippi Oral Surgery?
- Highly Qualified Surgeons — Dr. Jared Akers, Dr. Bennett York, and Dr. Spencer Remley are board-certified experts trained in pediatric and craniofacial surgery.
- State-of-the-Art Care — Utilizing advanced 3D planning and hospital-grade surgical facilities ensures precision and safety.
- Family-Centered Methods — We emphasize empathetic communication, thorough education, and emotional support for families during every step.
- Seamless Coordination — In-house coordination with orthodontics, ENT, speech, and audiology teams enhances efficiency and reduces stress for families.
Life-Long Benefits of Treatment
Proper cleft management influences many aspects of a child’s life:
- Improved Feeding & Nutrition — Early repairs allow better coordination of eating and swallowing.
- Natural Speech Development — Structural repair and therapy help achieve clear, intelligible speech.
- Enhanced Hearing & Ear Health — Palate function helps prevent ear infections and hearing loss.
- Emotional & Social Confidence — Restored appearance and function foster better self-esteem and social growth.
With timely intervention and follow-up, most children go on to live healthy, confident, and socially connected lives.