The Adult Cleft & Craniofacial Surgery Program
Welcome to the Adult Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The adult program is directed by Dr. Matthew Pontell, assistant professor of Plastic Surgery. For patients who have graduated from a pediatric cleft and craniofacial program, are recovering from a traumatic injury or illness, or are unhappy with the appearance of your head or face for any reason, we are here to help.
As one of the first in the nation, the Adult Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Program consists of a group of experts highly skilled in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the scalp, face, teeth and everything in-between.
Our dedicated plastic and reconstructive surgeons have extensive experience in treating these conditions. We work closely with a team of specialists to help you optimize function and achieve your image goals.
Please feel free to e-mail craniofacial@vumc.org with any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing how our surgical expertise can help your patients become the best version of themselves.
"Helping children FACE the world through a team approach"
The Pediatric Cleft and Craniofacial Program is housed within the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. For over 30 years, our program has been a regional & national leader in personalized, ‘pre-natal to prom’ care of children born with facial differences. As the highest performing center for cleft related surgeries in the state, our highly trained surgeons, specialist and staff are dedicated to providing quality care and outcomes for cleft lip and palate patients. We partner and collaborate with speech, hearing, dental and nutritional specialist as well as family emotional support. We are one of the only centers in the southeast region to offer Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM). NAM is an orthopedic appliance used to actively mold and reposition nose and mouth tissues before surgery. Two faculty members who perform NAM are, Dr. Margaret Maclin, team pediatric dentist who started the program and Dr. Raquel Capote a fellowship trained craniofacial orthodontist who provides NAM services as well as all phases of orthodontic needs for children and adult with facial differences.
The Vanderbilt program is nationally accredited for meeting the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association standards of care and is held accountable to national rules and regulations.