Nasoalveolar Morphological Changes Following Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding in Non-Syndromic Complete Cleft Lip and Palate Infants: A Retrospective Study

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a non-surgical approach used to aid in the correction of cleft lip and palate deformities in infants. It is non-invasive, enables early intervention, helps to guide growth and development of face and jaws, reduces need for repeated plastic surgeries, improves feeding, speech and aesthetic outcomes. Despite these advantages many parents and surgeons do not opt for PNAM because of frequent visits. The aim of the present study was to quantify the effects of PNAM in and around cleft area including nasal structure in non-syndromic complete CLP. Methods: A retrospective study on pre and post PNAM 1:1 basilar photograph and intra-oral models of 49 Non-syndromic Complete cleft lip palate infants that underwent NAM. Results: In 49 infants, significant decreases were observed in anterior alveolar cleft width, total alar base width, palatal gap, nostril widths and basal widths (cleft and non-cleft sides), and columella deviation. Significant increases were found in lengths of greater and lesser segments, columella length, nostril heights (cleft and non-cleft sides), and nasal dome heights (cleft and non-cleft sides) (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: NAM is promising in approximating the cleft tissues, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, so it is highly recommended in the treatment of cleft lip and palate infants.