Main Interests:

Defining the relationships between cleft lip, cleft palate and other craniofacial-oral malformations and such oral motor functions as speech and swallowing (cleft lip and/or cleft palate is the fourth most common birth defect world wide). A cleft of the palate (roof of the mouth) left untreated or surgically treated incorrectly can result in significant problems for the infant. Initially a cleft palate can impair nursing and sucking and can result in a failure to thrive. A cleft of the palate can also result in the development of unintelligible speech, as all of the sound energy is conducted through the nose.

An area that the UF Craniofacial Center has gained international recognition is in the conduct of clinical trials investigating oral motor outcomes as a function of specific surgical, prosthetic and behavioral interventions. As an example, the Craniofacial Center is currently conducting a 10 year study with faculty at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, investigating which of two commonly used surgical procedures used in the United States and other countries for closing cleft palate results in the best speech and facial growth.

Publications:

Williams, W.N., Wharton, P.W., Paulk, M.F., Brown, W.S., Turner, G.E., & Stevens, G. (2005). Intraoral air pressure discrimination under conditions of experimental velopharyngeal insufficiency. Cleft Palate Craniofac J., 42(3), 297-303.

Marino, V.C., Williams, W.N., Wharton, P.W., Paulk, M.F., Dutka-Souza, J.C., & Schulz, G.M. (2005). Immediate and sustained changes in tongue movement with an experimental palatal "fistula": a case study. Cleft Palate Craniofac J., 42(3), 286-96.

Seagle, M.B., Mazaheri, M.K., Dixon-Wood, V.L., Williams, W.N. (2002). Evaluation and treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency: the University of Florida experience. Ann Plast Surg., 48(5), 464-70.

Williams, W.N., Brown, W.S. Jr, Payne, A., Turner, G.E., & Wharton, P.W. (2001). Intraoral air pressure discrimination under conditions of partial and complete resistance. Folia Phoniatr Logop., 53(2), 99-109.

Sidhu, H., Enatska. L., Ogden, S., Williams, W.N., Allison, M.J., & Peck, A.B. (1997). Evaluating Children in the Ukraine for Colonization With the Intestinal Bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes, Using a Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Detection System. Mol Diagn., 2(2), 89-97.

Seagle, M.B., Patti, C.S., Williams, W.N., & Wood, V.D. (1999). Submucous cleft palate: a 10-year series. Ann Plast Surg., 42(2), 142-8.

Nackashi, J.A., Rosenbloom, A.L., Marks, R., Williams, W.N., Seagle, M.B., & Frolova, L.E. (1998). Stature of Russian children with isolated cleft lip and palate. Cleft Palate Craniofac J., 35(6), 500-2.

Seagle, M.B., Nackashi, J.A., Kemker, F.J., Marks, R.G., Williams, W.N., Frolova, L.E., Gonchakov, G.V., & Shcheslavskii, S. (1998). Otologic and audiologic status of Russian children with cleft lip and palate. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 35(6), 495-9.

Turner, C., Zagirova, A.F., Frolova, L.E., Courts, F.J., & Williams, W.N. (1998). Oral health status of Russian children with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Cleft Palate Craniofac J., 35(6), 489-94.

Williams, W.N., Bzoch, K.R., Dixon-Wood, V., Seagle, M.B., Nackashi, J.A., Marks, R.G., Frolova, L.E., Serova, E.A., Gonchakov, G.V., Shcheslavskii, S., Shmel'kova, T., & Zagirova, A.F. (1998) Velopharyngeal function for speech after the Frolova primary palatoplasty technique. Cleft Palate Craniofac J., 35(6), 481-8.

Williams, W.N., Seagle, M.B., Nackashi, A.J., Marks, R., Boggs, S.R., Kemker, J., Wharton, W., Bzoch, K.R., Dixon-Wood, V., Pegoraro-Krook, M.I., de Souza Freitas, J.A., Garla, L.A., de Souza, T.V., Silva, M.L., Neto, J.S., Montagnoli, L.C., Martinelli, A.P., Marques, I.L., Zimmerman, M.C., Feniman, M.B., de Azevedo Bento Goncalves, C.G., Piazentin, S.H., Graciano, M.I., Chinellato, M.C., & Jorge, J.C., et al. (1998). A methodology report of a randomized prospective clinical trial to assess velopharyngeal function for speech following palatal surgery. Control Clin Trials, 19(3), 297-312.

Zori, R.T., Boyar, F.Z., Williams, W.N., Gray, B.A., Bent-Williams, A., Stalker, H.J., Rimer, L.A., Nackashi, J.A., Driscoll, D.J., Rasmussen, S.A., Dixon-Wood, V., & Williams, C.A. (1998). Prevalence of 22q11 region deletions in patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency. Am J Med Genet., 77(1), 8-11.

Sapienza, C.M., Brown, W.S., Williams, W.N., Wharton, P.W., & Turner, G.E. (1996). Respiratory and laryngeal function associated with experimental coupling of the oral and nasal cavities. Cleft Palate Craniofac J., 33(2), 118-26.

Williams, W.N., Coffey, J., Turner, G.E., Crary , M.E. , Capen, R., & Wharton, P.W. (1992). Level of accuracy and degree of precision in attempting to maintain steady levels of biting force. J Oral Rehabil., 19(6), 655-62.

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