Changes in maxillary alveolar morphology with nasoalveolar molding.

Aim: To evaluate the changes in maxillary alveolar morphology in unilateral cleft lip palate infants treated with nasoalveolar molding (NAM).

Setting And Design: Study was carried out in the orthodontic department associated with a operating cleft unit in a rural region of central India. Ten UCLP (unilateral cleft lip palate) infants less than 6 weeks of age were treated with NAM prior to surgical repair.

Materials And Methods: Pre NAM and Post NAMstudy models of the UCLP infants were analyzed. Critical linear dimensions including inter- canine width, inter-tuberosity width, arch length and midline deviation were recorded at the different stages using a digital vernier caliper and compared. Statistical analysis were performed using SPSS 13.00 statistical software.

Results: Results from this study showed that the width of the alveolar cleft showed a significant decrease with NAM. The arch length and width of the arch in the anterior region also showed a reduction with NAM. The intertuberosity width showed a statistically significant increase during treatment. The arch perimeter showed a significant increase with NAM.

Conclusion: NAM was effective in reducing the severity of the initial cleft deformity mainly at the anterior portion of the maxillary arch.