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Organizations

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Definitions

Anesthesiologist - A physician specializing in administering anesthesia to a patient in preparation for and during surgery.

Cleft Lip and Palate - A birth defect that results in a split or opening in the lip or palate or both. A cleft lip is a separation in the upper lip. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth. Clefts result from incomplete development of the lip and/or palate in the early weeks of pregnancy. Clefts are associated with many problems including cosmetic deformities, dental abnormalities, speech, swallowing and growth difficulties. These defects are correctable with treatment, beginning within months of birth with corrective surgery, and continuing through the late teens. To learn more about cleft lip/cleft palate, please refer to this link.

Craniofacial - Relating to the face and/or head. A disorder of this type results from abnormal growth patterns of the face or skull, which involves soft tissue and bones. A disfigurement of this type is brought about by a birth defect, disease or trauma. To learn more about craniofacial anomalies, please refer to this link.

Craniosynostosis - The early closing of one or more of the sutures of an infant's head. Anatomically speaking, sutures are the joints or spaces between the plates of the newborn skull. As an infant's brain grows, open sutures allow the skull to expand and develop a relatively normal head shape. The main sutures ordinarily fuse around five to six months of age. If one or more of the sutures has closed early, it causes the skull to expand in the direction of the open sutures. This can result in an abnormal head shape. In severe cases, this condition can also cause increased pressure on the growing brain. Surgical treatment helps restore the normal shape and relationship of the forehead and orbital rims. To learn more about craniosynostosis, please refer to this link.

Hemifacial Microsomia - A condition that affects the growth of the face unilaterally or bilaterally. Although different facial structures can be effected, the most common areas include the ear, oral cavity and lower jaw. The cause of this syndrome is a vascular accident in the fetus, which restricts the blood supply. Blood clots are typically produced in the tissues that will develop into the structures of the ear and lower jaw. The lack of the development of the upper and lower jaws can cause breathing difficulties as well as dental malocclusion, which should be addressed surgically and orthodontically. The effects of this syndrome become more evident as the child grows. To learn more about hemifacial microsomia, please refer to this link.

Jaw Ankylosis - Restricted mobility of the jaw, which often results from trauma or infection, or could be congenital in origin. When ankylosis prevents the growth of the lower jaw joint, facial asymmetry occurs. Surgical treatment of the lower jaw joint in combination with jaw opening exercises, corrects the problem.

Jaw Distraction - A one-stage operation in which the jaw bone is cut and an appliance called a distractor is anchored to each end of the bone. Over two weeks, the space between the bones is gradually increased, allowing new bone to grow. This procedure is performed on an underdeveloped lower jaw.

Malocclusion - A condition in which the teeth and/or jaw bones are imperfectly aligned, which may lead to functional problems.

Maxillofacial - Relating to the face, mouth and jaws. A disorder can result from diseases, injuries or defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of this region.

Mandibular Hypoplasia - An underdeveloped lower jaw, which can result from an infection of the jaw joint. Children with this condition may have problems breathing, sleeping and eating. Until recently, the condition was typically corrected with multiple surgeries that included wiring the jaw and making bone grafts. STaRS is educating surgeons on a newer technique called jaw distraction. It is a one-stage operation in which the jawbone is cut and an appliance called a distractor is anchored to each end of the bone. Over two weeks, the space between the bones is gradually increased, allowing new bone to grow.

Oral Surgeon - Specializes in surgery of the teeth and jaws.

Orthodontist - Specializes in the prevention and correction of irregularities of the teeth.

Otolaryngologist - Treats problems of the ear, nose and throat.

Pediatrician - Specializes in the medical care of infants and children.

Plastic Surgeon - Specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

Treacher-Collins Syndrome - This genetic condition is a result of an autosomal dominant gene and effects the size and shape of the ears, cheek bones, and upper and lower jaws. In the early years, the child may have difficulty maintaining an open airway and may need some assistance to obtain adequate nutrition. As the child grows, these problems tend to be alleviated. Other abnormalities include malformation of the upper and lower jaws, impaired hearing due to a deformity of the ears and a cleft palate. Surgical treatment is necessary to correct these deformities.