Cleft and Craniofacial

Shoreline Orthodontics curve image

Specialized Treatment for Complex Cases

Dr. Paul Helpard, Dr. Megan McFadden and Dr. Michelle Kosmowski perform nasoalveolar molding at the office, a nonsurgical way to reshape the gums, lip and nostrils with a plastic plate before cleft lip and palate surgery. Pre-surgery molding may decrease the number of surgeries a child needs as it makes the cleft less severe by reducing the cleft inside the mouth and the gap in the upper lip, and by lifting and narrowing the patient’s nose.

For over 20 years, Dr. Helpard has been an active member on the Cleft Lip and Palate & Craniofacial Anomalies team at BC Children’s Hospital. The program cares for more than 2,500 patients from BC and the Yukon, providing patients with ongoing specialist assessments, treatment plans, case management and coordination, and treatment intervention.

Cleft and Craniofacial