Research

Research is one of the missions of The Craniofacial Center. We are committed to conducting research for the purpose of improving the quality of life for all of our patients.

For over fifty years, we have been gathering longitudinal data on growth and development for more than ten thousand patients. This research forms the basis of The Craniofacial Center Data Bank, a world-recognized compilation of craniofacial data. It has served as the basis for more than one thousand publications in scientific journals and enables us to continuously evaluate the quality of our care and develop new and better treatment protocols.

Because The Craniofacial Center is part of The University of Illinois Medical Center, we may take advantage of the resources of this world-class academic institution. Members of our team conduct basic science research and clinical scientific investigations in a broad range of topics related to craniofacial growth and development, genetic conditions, oral and facial surgical and prosthetic rehabilitation, orofacial orthopedics, infant feeding, oral and craniofacial osseointegrated implants, distraction osteogenesis, laser surgery, and speech and psychosocial development of cleft/craniofacial patients.

Current research studies include:

• Skeletal characteristics of craniofacial deformities
• Growth and development of craniofacial structures
• Effects of orofacial orthopedics on midface growth
• Oral and craniofacial osseointegrated implants
• Distraction Osteogenesis
• Speech and psychological development of cleft/craniofacial children
• Effects of therapeutic irradiation on osseointegrated implants
• Medications to minimize oral side effects of radiation therapy
• Assessment of nasal deformities using 3D analysis
• Anthropomorphic analysis of cleft lip and palate infants
• Study of the cranial base of cleft patients
• Expression matrix of metalloproteinases in cranial suture
• Effect of rapid palatal expansion on nasal cavity volume
• Matrix degradation and mechanisms of bone resorption of craniofacial sutures

These projects receive federal and state funding as well as support from private foundations. Based upon our research results, we continuously review our patient treatment protocols for continuous quality improvement. The results are presented by team members at the national and international meetings of such organizations as the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Association of Orthodontics, the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, the International Congress of Maxillofacial Rehabilitation, the American Anaplastology Association, the American Academy of Audiology, and the American Speech and Hearing Association. Much of our research is published in scientific journals such as The Cleft Palate Journal, The American Journal of Orthodontics, The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, The International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, The Journal of Facial and Somato Prosthetics, and the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.

Original research at The Craniofacial Center has contributed to the surgical protocol to repair cleft palates prior to one year of age, the widespread use of osseointegrated implants for craniofacial rehabilitation, and the craniofacial applications of distraction osteogenesis. The first craniofacial surgery performed in North America was at The Craniofacial Center and the University of Illinois at Chicago medical Center.

The goal of research is to improve the quality of life for our patients.