Aslihan Zeynep Oz, Ilknur Can, Fatmanur Sonmaz Cural
Clinical Dentistry and Research - 2025;49(3):143-149
Background and Aim: Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is considered a routine part of pre-surgical orthopedic treatment protocols for patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP). Treating this deformity from birth to adulthood requires a multidisciplinary approach to achieve optimal aesthetics and function. This study aims to evaluate the effects of NAM therapy on the cleft segments in infants with unilateral CLP using digital modeling. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 patients with unilateral CLP, who completed NAM treatment and had pre- and post-treatment maxillary plaster models. These models were scanned with a model scanner to create digital models. Linear and angular measurements were made on the digital models to determine changes in the cleft width and the positions of the segments. Results: There was a significant decrease in the cleft width with NAM treatment (p<0.05). A significant decrease in intercanine distance was observed (p<0.05), while the intertuber distance was increased. A significant difference was found in the medial rotation of the larger segment before and after NAM (p<0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the lesser segment (p>0.05). In maxillary depth measurements, a significant decrease was observed in the larger segment (p<0.05), whereas no significant difference was found in the lesser segment (p>0.05). Conclusions: Pre-surgical NAM therapy contributes to the approximation of the cleft segments, facilitates the medial rotation of the larger segment towards the midline, and thus, helps achieve a more uniform arch form.
