Dr. Best is a fellowship-trained cleft and craniofacial surgeon. He is performs for full scope of cleft and craniofacial surgery, including cleft lip/palate repair, alveolar bone grafting, cleft orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery, cranial vault reconstruction, and surgical management of craniofacial syndromes.

Childhood facial clefts are a common condition diagnosed at birth. Cleft lip and/or palate can occur together or separately. Aside from cosmetic concerns, clefts cause issues with feeding, hearing, and speech.

 Dr. Best is an expert at cleft surgery and will meet with you to discuss your child's diagnosis even before birth. For patients who have already had a repair of their lip and/or palate, Dr. Best offers revision procedures to enhance function and esthetics, when necessary.

​Dr. Best has volunteered for multiple organizations repairing cleft lip and palate in Mexico and Guatemala.

Mandibular Distraction (for Pierre Robin Sequence)

Pierre Robin Sequence is a condition often diagnosed at birth in which the newborn has the following triad of symptoms:

1. Small jaw (retrognathia)

2. Tongue falling back (glossoptosis)

3. Difficulty breathing

​If these three symptoms are present, your child may be a candidate for mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO). MDO is a straightforward procedure in which cuts are made in the lower jaw, and it is slowly advanced over the course of roughly one week. This procedure is very effective at relieving respiratory distress (difficulty breathing).

Cleft Orthognathic Surgery

Dr. Best performs the full spectrum of orthognathic surgery for patients with a previously repaired cleft lip/palate. These procedures may range from traditional corrective jaw surgery to more advanced procedures such as distraction osteogenesis. The purpose of the procedure is to correct your bite (occlusion) while simultaneously improving facial esthetics.

Cranial Vault Reconstruction
(for Craniosynostosis)

Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the "sutures" of the skull are prematurely fused. These sutures allow for normal growth of the head and brain. If a suture fuses early, growth will cease perpendicular to the suture, creating an abnormal and restricted head shape. This may cause developmental delay, functional concerns, and long term cosmetic deformity.

Surgery to correct craniosynostosis is typically performed at 3 to 8 months of age, depending on the type and severity of the condition.