Our experts at the Cleft, Craniofacial and Special Care Orthodontic Clinic prepare patients for reconstructive craniofacial surgery by repositioning the teeth with a variety of orthodontic treatments.

Together with the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center team, we help correct skeletal and dental anomalies in patients with cleft lip and palate and other conditions of the head and face.

Our expert team offers a wide range of orthodontic services in a warm, friendly environment.

Nasoalveolar Molding

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is an appliance that improves unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate by aligning alveolar (gum) segments, reducing space between lip segments and improving nasal symmetry.

Interceptive Orthodontics

For younger patients whose baby teeth have begun to fall out, interceptive orthodontics can begin to address severe problems such as jaw discrepancies, crowding, spacing or impacted teeth. It can also help prepare patients with cleft lip and palate for alveolar bone grafting — a reconstructive procedure that fills in missing bone beneath the gum.

Interceptive orthodontics may involve the use of palate expanders, headgear, space maintainers and other appliances.

Comprehensive Orthodontics

For patients whose adult teeth have mostly or fully emerged, comprehensive orthodontic care may include appliances such as braces, palate expanders and other appliances to address bite concerns.

Presurgical Orthodontics

We provide specialized orthodontic treatment to properly position teeth before and after jaw surgery.

A Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Led by Ilana Ickow, D.M.D., M.S., the orthodontic clinic works closely with other specialists from across Johns Hopkins Medicine. We collaborate with plastic and reconstructive surgeons Richard Redett, M.D., and Robin Yang, D.D.S., M.D., as well as experts in:

• speech therapy
• otolaryngology (ENT)
• psychology
• neurosurgery
• genetic medicine

This multidisciplinary team approach ensures every patient receives personalized, comprehensive evaluation and treatment — throughout every step of the process.