Cleft Lip and Palate
Cleft lip and palate are common birth defects that can affect a child's looks and how they eat, hear, speak, and develop.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Stephen Hardy, MD, can use his training in advanced cosmetic surgery techniques to repair this condition.
Learn how Dr. Hardy of Northwest Plastic Surgery Associates correct your child's issues at his surgical center serving Missoula, MT.
Dramatic Cleft Repair from Our World-Class Surgeon
Dr. Hardy has top-level experience performing life-changing cleft lip and palate repair surgery. Contact our Polson and Helena, MT, practices today for a consultation if these defects are present in your child. Dr. Hardy welcomes patients from Missoula and other communities throughout the great state of Montana.
A Closer Look at a Cleft Palate
How Can Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery Help My Child? This procedure...
- Restores normal appearance
- Improves breathing, feeding, and speaking functions
- Can support psychological development
- Enhances self-esteem as child grows
- Improves development of mouth and teeth
- Reduces risk of severe ear infections and hearing loss
- Decreases chances of orthodontic or dental problems
Three Facts about Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
These procedures are typically performed between nine and 18 months of age and can address both small tears, and large or complete lip and palate separations.
Dr. Hardy can use customized advanced procedures and state-of-the-art surgical tools to rebuild the palate by moving surrounding tissue on either side of the cleft towards the middle of the roof of the mouth.
This is followed by joining muscle tissue together, while leaving enough length to allow for normal eating and speech. In severe cases, Dr. Hardy may need to perform follow up surgeries as your child grows.
A Passion for Pediatric Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. Hardy has a strong passion for pediatric surgery. In fact, pediatric surgery is the reason why he wanted to be a plastic surgeon. The ability to be able to repair and restore normal function of a child’s mouth through cleft lip and palate surgery is an extremely rewarding experience. He has participated in many volunteer surgical missions to countries such as Nepal, Guatemala, Cuba, and Kazakhstan to help children with cleft lips and palates.
High Praise for Dr. Hardy's Practices Serving Missoula, MT
Renee Wyman
2021
Dr. Hardy and his staff are phenomenal. My son was born with a cleft lip and palate and has had multiple surgeries and I couldn’t have asked for a better doctor for him!
View on GoogleGayle Butler
2020
Dr. Steve Hardy and his staff are top notch. I have been a patient of Dr. Hardy’s for over ten years. He was with me through my fight against breast cancer and performed numerous surgeries and procedures on me for my mastectomy and reconstruction. He is a perfectionist and a kind and caring man. When I walk into his office I know I will always be taken care of.
View on GoogleChoose an Understanding, Experienced Doctor For Your Child's Cleft Repair Surgery
When your child is born with a birth defect, you may feel scared or uncertain. As a parent, you want to do all that you can to help them.
Our caring surgeon, Dr. Stephen P. Hardy, is here to guide you and your family through the process. He has helped numerous families and their children with cleft palate and cleft lip treatment.
Dr. Hardy is affiliated with the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). You and your family can trust him to resolve your child's upper lip or soft palate cleft and provide an overview of the cleft repair procedure.
To begin your child's cleft repair treatment, reach out to our Missoula area offices or call:
(406) 728-3811
Your Family Is Not Alone
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If your child was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, you may feel alone. However, according to the CDC, as many as 1 in 1,600 children will be born with these fairly common birth defects. They're also a correctable craniofacial condition, which means your child can live a long and happy life after the cleft repair procedure.
"The best you will find." Why Missoula, MT, Area Patients Trust Dr. Hardy
LaVerna Munro
2019
The best you will find , compassionate and highly skilled. Don’t bother leaving Montana to find another. Dr Hardy is the best.
View on GoogleJessica Mumm
2020
Dr. Hardy and all the staff are wonderful! It was a comfortable, informative, & great experience. Dr. Hardy’s work is amazing!
View on GoogleHow Old Must My Child Be To Have Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Treatment?
Typically, your child must be at least three to six months old to receive treatment for their cleft lip. For their cleft palate or a combination of both, they have to wait until ages 9-18 months. Once they reach that age, the sooner they undergo cleft surgery, the better, especially given the increased risk of ear infections and orthodontic problems.
You do not have to wait three months before talking to a doctor. In fact, we recommend that parents reach out proactively since surgeries can take three or four weeks to be scheduled.
Parents can contact our Missoula, MT, area offices to begin learning about their options.
Insurance Coverage For Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Treatment
Your insurance will likely cover at least some of the costs of cleft lip and cleft palate treatment. We will give you a quote at your cleft repair consultation so that you know what to expect. You can also discuss the pricing of birth defect correction with your insurance provider ahead of time.
