Hitesh Kapadia, DDS, PhD

Dr. Hitesh Kapadia is a Craniofacial Orthodontist who specializes in the orthodontic management of children with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial differences. He plays a crucial role on the multidisciplinary care team through collaboration with surgeons, speech therapists, pediatricians, dentists and other team members to provide comprehensive care. His key responsibilities include:

1. Pre-surgical orthodontics that prepare a patient for craniofacial surgery

2. Post-surgical orthodontics for management of dental and jaw alignment

3. Growth monitoring

4. Interdisciplinary treatment plans which address both functional and aesthetic concerns

5. Speech and airway improvement to help optimize oral and facial functionality

6. Long-term care for patients through childhood and into early adulthood

Personal Statement

I am fortunate to be a member of a multidisciplinary team whose mission is to care for children with complex craniofacial differences. At the core of my practice is a commitment to patient-centered care. My goal is to ensure that each patient and their family feel supported throughout their journey with empathy and compassion.

Clinical Interests

Comprehensive cleft care including pre-surgical molding (NAM), distraction osteogenesis, orthognathic surgery, craniosynostosis, craniofacial microsomia, Treacher Collins syndrome

Education

Organizations

Honors and awards

2023

Daniel Marchac Award, Best Member's Paper, International Society of Craniofacial Surgery

2003

AADOCR Bloc Travel Grant, International Association of Dental Research

1998

AADOCR Research Fellowship, American Association of Dental Research

* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Research interests

Outcome studies for cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, Treacher Collins syndrome

Kinter S, Susarla S, Delaney JC, Chapman K, Kapadia H, Weiss N. Does Distraction Lower Risk of VPI Compared to Conventional Maxillary Advancement? A Retrospective Cohort Study of Adolescents with Cleft Palate. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 2024 Mar;61(3):422-432. doi: 10.1177/10556656221138895. Epub 2022 Nov 13 

Capote R, Preston K, Kapadia H. Craniofacial Growth and Development: A Primer for the Facial Trauma Surgeon. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America, 2023 Nov;35(4):501-513. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2023.04.007. Epub 2023 Jun 9 

Massenburg BB, Susarla SM, Kapadia HP, Hopper RA. Subcranial Midface Advancement in Patients with Syndromic Craniosynostosis. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America, 2022 Aug;34(3):467-475. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2022.01.002. Epub 2022 Jul 2 

Han JT, Egbert MA, Ettinger RE, Kapadia HP, Susarla SM. Orthognathic Surgery in Patients with Syndromic Craniosynostosis. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America, 2022 Aug;34(3):477-487. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2022.01.003. Epub 2022 Jul 2 

Kurnik NM, Calis M, Sobol DL, Kapadia H, Mercan E, Tse RW. A Comparative Assessment of Nasal Appearance following Nasoalveolar Molding and Primary Surgical Repair for Treatment of Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2021 Nov 1;148(5):1075-1084 

Hopper RA, Wang HD, Mercan E, Kapadia H. Counterclockwise Craniofacial Distraction Osteogenesis. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 2021 Jul;48(3):445-454. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2021.02.006. Epub 2021 May 5 

Purnell CA, Evans M, Massenburg BB, Kim S, Preston K, Kapadia H, Hopper RA. Lefort II distraction with zygomatic repositioning versus Lefort III distraction: A comparison of surgical outcomes and complications. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 2021 Oct;49(10):905-913. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2021.03.003. Epub 2021 Apr 28