Effect of selective trimming of nasoavleolar molding on maxillary arch growth in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate

• Published in: Special care in dentistry Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 1627 - 1632
• Main Authors: Murthy, Prashanth Sadashiva, Venkatapathy, Aarthi Latha, Deshmukh, Seema
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-11-2024
• Subjects: cleft lip and palate; Cleft lip/palate; Maxilla; NAM therapy growth; nasoalveolar molding; preoperative care; presurgical orthopedics; preoperative care; presurgical orthopedics; cleft lip and palate; NAM therapy growth; maxilla; nasoalveolar molding
• ISSN: 0275-1879; 1754-4505; 1754-4505
• DOI: 10.1111/scd.13028

Aim
Presurgical Nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) is a technique used for cleft lip and palate patients prior to cheiloplasty. However, concerns exist regarding its negative impact on maxillary arch growth.This study aimed to assess the effect of selective trimming in NAM on maxillary arch growth in patients with unilateral cleft lip palate.
Methodology
The retrospective observational study analyzed the study casts of 30 patients before and after undergoing nasoalveolar molding treatment. Study casts which were repositories of the institute were analyzed and segregated as Group A: NAM given with selective trimming of the appliance, and Group B: NAM without selective trimming of the appliance. Pre and post‐treatment casts were assessed digitally at L‐L’ (Intercleft segment width), C‐C’ (Intercanine width), T‐T’ (Alveolar arch width), L‐TT’ (Alveolar arch length from major cleft segment), and L’‐TT’ (Alveolar arch length from minor cleft segment)
Results
A notable significant difference between Group A's and B's mean Alveolar arch width and Intercleft segment width was seen. Whereas parameters such as intercanine width, and alveolar arch length as functions from major and minor segments showed no significant variance.
Conclusion
Although NAM has been known to affect the growth of the maxillary arch, this study proposes that techniques such as selective trimming can help counteract this drawback.