NASOALVEOLAR MOULDING IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a presurgical therapy used to reduce the size of the cleft or palate deformity of the lip, gum and nose before surgical repair. The goal of NAM is to reduce the size of the cleft deformity of the lip, gum and nose (oronasal deformity) before surgical repair. A NAM procedure gradually decreases the width of the cleft of the lip and gums (alveolus), improves gum alignment, and helps to improve the shape of the nose. This preparation can help improve surgical results. The skin and cartilage of an infant's face are very flexible. It is this flexibility that allows nasoalveolar molding therapy to work. NAM therapy begins within the first few weeks of life and continues until your child is ready for cleft lip repair. The next step after lip repair is cleft palate repair. The goal of cleft palate surgery is to fix the roof of the mouth so that the child can eat and talk normally. Cleft palate surgery is generally performed around 12 months of age. This book enlightens on the various steps that are involved in the procedure, the modifications that are done in the treatment pertaining to the corresponding patient and the recent advances in NAM.