Alveolar Gap Research Articles

Evaluation of liver and renal function tests together with histopathological alterations in rabbits infected with a virulent strain of Proteus vulgaris

Introduction and Aim: Gram-negative bacterium Proteus vulgaris is found in animal and human guts. This bacterium can cause renal and vesical calculi, septicemia, and wound infection-related pyrexia. Antibiotics may not cure respiratory infections. This study infected rabbits with a virulent strain of P. vulgaris from bovine mastitis to examine metabolic and histological changes in various organs. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on twenty domestic rabbits of both sexes which were divided into two groups. The first group received 1010 CFU\ml\ of virulent Proteus vulgaris subcutaneously. While the second group (control) received subcutaneously 1 cc of phosphate buffered saline (pH = 7.2). On 3,7, 14 days of infection, the animals were checked for their biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, blood urea and creatinine). Histological alterations in various organs were also studied. Results: The infected group showed substantial increases (P0.01) in liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) at 3, 7, and 14 days compared to the control group. In contrast, the infected group showed a substantial rise (P 0.01) in blood urea and creatinine levels at 3, 7, and 14 days compared to pre-infection levels and the control group. Histological analysis of lung tissue showed dilated alveolar gaps with hemorrhagic and fibrinous exudates and many alveolar macrophages. These findings included pulmonary vasodilation and congestion. Intramuscular edema, cellular infiltration, intramuscular hemorrhage, and congestion was present in heart tissue with little muscle fiber separation. The intestines had significant patch proliferation and mononuclear cell infiltration. Blood vascular congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration were also seen in the liver and kidney. Conclusion: Experimental infection with pathogenic bacterium Proteus vulgaris raised rabbits' blood urea, creatinine, and liver enzymes AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase. Cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, intestinal, and pulmonary tissues showed significant postmortem changes.

Usage of xenogeneic bone intentionally left exposed to the oral environment after immediate implant placement: a case report with six-year follow-up

Objective: This clinical case report aims to demonstrate a successful treatment using an alternative technique for flapless immediate implant placement by letting the xenogeneic bone graft exposed to the oral environment. Case report: A flapless immediate implant placement into the fresh mandibular first molar socket was done. The alveolar gap was filled by deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) up to the level of the gingival margin, and the biomaterial was intentionally left exposed and maintained only by the cover screw. A definitive restoration was placed six months after the implant insertion. This patient exhibited no clinical or radiologic complications throughout the six-year follow-up period. Conclusion: The DBBM exposed to the oral environment showed stability and caused no sign of infection and clinical complications. Throughout the follow-up time, the patient presented a favorable peri-implant phenotype, with a wide keratinized mucosa width, stable peri-implant buccal bone, as well as the maintenance of crestal bone. Although the exposed biomaterial may be more susceptible to displacement, this approach showed satisfactory performance regarding uneventful healing, esthetics, and function, in a six-year follow-up. However, randomized clinical trials to evaluate the clinical predictability and soft and hard tissues healing profile are needed.

Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding—Efficacy and Biomechanics in Management of Cleft Lip and Palate: A Review of the Literature

AbstractPresurgical infant orthopaedics (PSIO) appliances are used in the management of cleft lip and palate. Frequently, among all PSIO appliances utilized is presurgical nasoalveolar molding (NAM) appliance. In this review, we looked for the application of the NAM appliance, its efficacy, and biomechanics. A comprehensive search strategy was performed in two databases (Google Scholar and PubMed) for articles using NAM in the treatment plan of patients with cleft lip and palate. Six articles were included in this study with one randomized control trial, two retrospective, and three case reports studies. The studies reveal the NAM is efficient as a presurgical modality treatment for complete cleft lip and palate with multiple benefits, including reducing surgical scars and alveolar gap, used as feeding plate, improve nasal contour, and decreased the number of rectifying surgical procedure.

Ten-Year Cephalometric Comparison of Patients With Cleft Palate who Received Treatment With Active or Passive Pre-surgical Orthopedic Devices.

Pre-surgical orthopedic (PSO) devices can be used in the management of patient with cleft lip/palate (CL/P) to narrow the alveolar gap (AG) prior to lip surgery. There are few studies comparing these 2 devices. The objective of this work was to compare the effects of active and passive PSO devices on facial growth in a single surgeon's cohort of patients with CL/P over a 10-year period. A retrospective review of all patients with CL/P in a single surgeon's practice from 2002 to 2018 was performed. Preoperative measurements of AG size were done using electronic calipers on patient molds. Patient radiographs were taken at 5 and 10 years of age and cephalometric landmarks were plotted using specialized software. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare means for maxillary, mandibular, vertical, and dento-alveolar growth parameters. Twenty patients with an active device and 23 patients with a passive device were included. No differences were observed in the basic demographic information between the two groups. At the time of lip repair, patients with a passive device had significantly larger horizontal AGs (P < .01), but by the time of palate repair, there was no difference between the two groups (P = .94). There was no significant difference in any growth measurements between the active and passive device groups at 5 and 10 years. Despite closing the AG more quickly, patients treated with an active device have no significant difference in facial growth at 10 years compared to patients treated with a passive device.

Correction of a prominent premaxilla in a juvenile with a bilateral cleft lip and palate using a novel, hybrid function regulator, the FR-BCPPm, followed by preadjusted fixed appliances: A 20-year follow-up.

A seven-year-old boy with a repaired bilateral cleft lip and palate, presented with a severe skeletal II base and an extremely prominent premaxilla. He had grossly incompetent lips with lower lip trapping, an 18.5-mm overjet, a deep overbite, markedly retroclined lower incisors, bilateral crossbites and 12-mm-wide alveolar gaps together with 6-mm vertical steps between the extruded premaxillary incisors and the posterior teeth. Before the eruption of the permanent canines, there was an urgency to approximate the opposing cleft alveolar margins and to level the split maxillary occlusal plane, in order to facilitate the successful insertion and subsequent consolidation of secondary alveolar bone grafts.A new functional appliance was therefore designed to achieve this objective, which drew components from Fränkel's FR I and FR III function regulators. Together with a couple of novel components, it created a hybrid appliance, namely the function regulator for juveniles with a bilateral cleft and a prominent premaxilla: the FR-BCPPm.The patient was treated with this appliance and a nocturnal headgear at 7-13 years, together with a concomitant quad helix appliance followed by a transpalatal arch and bilateral bone grafts. He was then treated non-extraction up to the age of 17 years with preadjusted fixed appliances to correct his residual, crowded Class II malocclusion.The marked improvement in his occlusion, dentofacial appearance and his perioral function after a decade of treatment was then followed up over 20 years, during which time mild relapse of the incisor overjet and moderate recurrence of the lower anterior misalignment was noted two years after treatment.While no further relapse was observed at the four-year post-treatment review, by 20 years after treatment, a little further misalignment of the lower anterior teeth was noted, half of which was deemed to be attributable to age-related maturation.

Orthodontic Pre Grafting Closure of Large Alveolar Bony and Soft Tissue Gaps: A Novel Nonsurgical Protraction of the Lesser Segments in Growing Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate

Closure of wide alveolar clefts with large soft tissue gaps and reconstruction of the dentoalveolar defect are challenging for the surgeon. Some authors successfully used interdental segmental distraction, which requires an additional surgical procedure. This study evaluates the effectiveness of tooth borne devices utilized to orthopedically advance the lesser segments, with a complete approximation of the soft tissue of the alveolar stumps, allowing traditional simultaneous soft tissue closure and bone grafting, and avoiding the need for supplementary surgery. Eight growing patients, 2 with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and 6 with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCLP), with large soft tissue and bony alveolar defects prior to bone grafting were prospectively selected. A banded rapid palatal expander (RPE) in BCLP and a modified RPE in UCLP combined with protraction face mask in younger patients or a modified Alt-Ramec in patients older than 12 years were applied. Radiographic and photographic records were available at T0, at the end of protraction (T1) and at least 1 year after bone grafting (T2). Patients with large gaps showed a significant reduction in the bony cleft area and approximation of the soft tissues at T1. All patients received bone grafting with good healing and ossification at T2. In growing patients with UCLP and BCLP with large gaps, presurgical orthodontic protraction seems to be an efficient method to reduce the cleft defect, minimizing the risk of post grafting fistulas, reducing the need for supplementary surgical procedures.

Alveolar cleft and maximum cleft width as predictors for difficult laryngoscopy and intubation in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate

BackgroundCleft lip and palate is one of the commonest congenital anomalies, which have an impact on feeding, speech, and dental development away from the significant psychosocial sequel. Early surgical repair aims to restore appearance and function, and the modern techniques can leave many defects undetectable. Therefore, the anesthetic challenge facing the pediatric airway with such abnormalities is still of a great impact. The aim of our study among 189 patients enrolled is to correlate alveolar gap and maximum cleft width measurements as predictors of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation in infants with unilateral complete cleft lip/palate aging from 1 to 6 months. As a secondary outcome, their weight is to be correlated too as another parameter.ResultsThe alveolar gap and maximum cleft width are both of equal high predictive power (p value ≤ 0.001) with 100% sensitivity for both and specificity of 76.10% and 82.39% respectively, with a cut off value of ≤ 10 mm and 11 mm for these dimensions respectively, and odds ratio of incidence of difficult intubation is 4.18 and 5.68 respectively, while body weight ≤ 5.75 kg has an odds ratio of 2.32.ConclusionAlveolar cleft and maximum cleft width can be used as predictors for anticipation of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation infant patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate, while body weight ≤ 5.75 kg increases the risk more than twice.

Surgical Nasoalveolar Molding: A Rational Treatment for Bilateral Cleft Lip Nose and Systematic Review.

Background:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome after using primary surgery to address bilateral cleft lip nose and palate deformities. In addition, the authors performed a systematic review to evaluate the effects of the nasoalveolar molding on non-syndromic bilateral cleft lip and palate.Methods:A prospective cohort study on a surgeon’s surgical outcome of 25 consecutively performed primary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity repairs was conducted and a systematic review of the literature for studies published until December 2019 was done to evaluate the effect of presurgical NAM on nasolabial aesthetics and alveolar gap.Results:Since 2014, 25 consecutive patients with complete bilateral cleft have undergone primary anatomical repair of the cleft nasal deformity using primary cheilorhinoplasty. The average columella length was 4.3 ± 1.3 mm. The average ratio of the columella height to nasal height was 0.48 mm 1 year postoperatively and 0.52 mm 5 years postoperatively. Statistically significant differences have been observed between the pre and postoperative alveolar and palatal gaps after using primary cheiloplasty or bilateral lip adhesion. After systematic literature searching, 14 identified studies were qualified for the final analysis, which included 433 patients. The overall study quality according to Oxford CEBM and GRADE scale was low.Conclusions:The results of this study suggest that the proposed primary cheilorhinoplasty is a good alternative to improve nose appearance and alveolar gap in patients with primary bilateral cleft lip nose and palate deformity. Based on the available scientific evidence, definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of presurgical Naso Alveolar Molding on nasolabial aesthetics cannot be drawn. Quality of the included articles were too low to make a conclusion.

The Surgical Nasoalveolar Molding: A Rational Treatment for Unilateral Cleft Lip Nose Deformity and Literature Review.

Background:The purposes of this study were to evaluate surgical outcomes after primary surgery to address unilateral cleft lip, nose, and palate deformities and to perform a review of the literature to evaluate the effects of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) plus primary surgical repair on nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate.Methods:A cohort study of 37 primary complete unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity repairs was performed by a single surgeon. The outcomes were anthropometric measurements of the repaired lip, nose, and alveolar cleft width at the age of 1 and 5 years. A review of the literature was performed for studies published until March 2020 to evaluate the effect of presurgical NAM on nasolabial aesthetics.Results:Statistically significant differences were observed between pre- and postoperative columellar angle and alveolar cleft width. A total of 308 studies were identified, and 8 were included in the final analysis of 684 patients. The overall study quality was low according to the Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine, and GRADE level of evidence was low.Conclusions:Primary cheilorhinoplasty alone is a good approach to improve nose appearance and alveolar gap in patients with unilateral cleft lip nose and palate deformity. Definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of presurgical NAM cannot be drawn. Available scientific evidence is not sufficient to demonstrate that combined use of presurgical nasoalveolar molding and primary surgery provides better nasolabial aesthetic outcomes than does primary surgery alone.

Presurgical Orthopedic Intervention Prior to Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: Nasoalveolar Molding Versus Passive Molding Appliance Therapy.

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a widely used presurgical orthopedic device, despite disputes over its effectiveness. This study compares the outcomes after cleft lip and nose repair in patients who received NAM versus those who underwent passive alveolar molding with lip taping. A retrospective review of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who received either NAM (n = 16) or passive molding (n = 10) treatments was conducted. Alveolar gap width was measured on maxillary casts until time of palatoplasty. Nasolabial symmetry was assessed by examining anthropometric ratios on post-operative three-dimensional photographs. Burden of care was evaluated by analyzing the number of patient appointments attended, treatment costs, and caregiver satisfaction surveys. No statistically significant difference existed in alveolar gap at time of initial appointment or palatoplasty, however the gap was smaller in the NAM cohort at time of lip and nose repair. No statistically significant difference existed in postsurgical heminasal width, nostril width, nostril height, labial height or nasal ala projection asymmetry between the NAM and the passive molding cohort. Patients in the NAM group attended more dental appointments and incurred higher treatment costs compared to the passive molding group. Caregivers reported high satisfaction with treatment outcomes in both cohorts. There were no differences between NAM and passive molding regarding postsurgical nasolabial appearance and patient satisfaction. Both treatments narrow the alveolar gap. However, NAM places a higher burden of care on families.

The Effect of Immediate Versus Delayed Addition of the Nasal Stent to the Nasoalveolar Molding Plate on Nostrils Shape and Cleft Width in Infants With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of immediate versus delayed addition of the nasal stent to the nasoalveolar molding plate on the nose shape and alveolar cleft area in unilateral cleft lip and palate infants. Twenty nonsyndromic newborn infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate were scanned 3 dimensionally using Proface software. In the experimental group, the nasal stent was added on the day the molding plate arrived, and in the control group when the alveolar gap reached 5 mm. Two months after adding nasal stents in each group patients' faces were scanned again and some parameters were measured. In addition, immediately after treatment, 1 month later and at the end of investigation, impressions were taken, and stone casts were scanned by cone-beam computed tomography and the alveolar gap was measured. Fisher exact test, paired t test, and ANOVA were used for data analyses. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. In this study, changes in the parameters showed significant differences between the case and controls for the columellar angle, nostril width on the cleft side, nostril height on the cleft side, soft tissue cleft width, and nasal surface area. However, the nostril's width and height in the noncleft side, intercommissural distance, nasal surface area on the noncleft side, nostril area between the cleft and noncleft side after treatment, and the alveolar gap did not show significant differences between the groups (P > 0.05). Early use of nasal stents showed more desirable results in decreasing the width of the nostrils and increasing its height and correcting the angle of the columella without any adverse effects on the nostrils after treatment.

Three-dimensional evaluation of the effect of nasoalveolar molding on the volume of the alveolar gap in unilateral clefts

Over the last few decades it has been shown that nasoalveolar molding (NAM) has had an effect on the correction of nasal cartilage deformities and the alveolar process. This three-dimensional (3D) analysis evaluated the effects of NAM on the alveolar cleft region in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.Alveolar gap volumes were measured in a retrospective review of 40 dental casts of 20 patients with unilateral clef lip and palate before and after treatment. Ten patients who began undergoing NAM immediately after birth were included in this study. An additional 10 patients with unilateral clefts but without NAM were included as a control group. All of the casts (pretreatment and post-treatment) were 3D scanned, and the cleft volumes and anterior gap widths underwent computer-aided evaluations.NAM resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in alveolar gap volume and anterior cleft width from birth until lip closure time, while half of the control group showed slight increases in cleft volume. Based on these results, NAM is an effective and helpful treatment that can be used to significantly reduce alveolar gap volume and anterior cleft width in patients with unilateral clefts. Harmonization of the dental arch and a reduction in the alveolar cleft region are desirable treatment goals.

Evaluation of a Digital Protocol for Pre-Surgical Orthopedic Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate in Newborn Patients: A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy, invasiveness and impact on clinical results of a digital oral impression protocol in the pre-surgical orthopedic treatment (PSOT) of newborn cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients undergoing primary alveolar surgical repair. Six patients were divided, according to impression technique used, into a digital (intraoral scanner (IOS)) and a non-digital (tray and putty (T&P)) group. Parents considered IOS impressions to be less invasive, compared to T&P impressions. The clinician that took all the impressions considered the IOS to be less stressful compared to the T&P method. In two T&P patients, the impression was repeated because some important anatomical details were missing, in one case due to patient regurgitation during the first attempt. No impression was repeated, and any adverse event was reported in the IOS group. There were no significant differences between these two protocols in pre-surgical alveolar gap reduction and surgical challenge. The study results indicate that this digital protocol can accelerate the production process of the passive molding plate with an instantaneous transmission of the digital impression to the dental lab, maintaining the same accuracy level and clinical outcomes of classical techniques and reducing the invasiveness of impression taking, avoiding any risk of impression material ingestion or inhalation.

Fabrication of Nasoalveolar Molding Devices for the Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate, Using Stereolithography Additive Manufacturing Processes and Computer-Aided Design Manipulation Software.

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a presurgical orthopedic treatment modality that attempts to reorient misaligned bony and soft tissue structures in patients with clefting of the lip and palate. The NAM devices are implemented prior to surgical intervention in order to minimize the gap across the cleft and thereby reduce tension across the eventual repair. Currently, NAM devices are fabricated in a laboratory and then refined chairside by the provider. The present article describes the potential of three-dimensional (3D) printing and computer-aided design (CAD) software for the fabrication of NAM devices. A workflow was developed to demonstrate the use of 3D printing and CAD software to design NAM devices. This workflow encompasses scanning an impression into CAD software, performing a series of manipulations, and then printing the digital model. To test the workflow, a cleft palate plaster model was scanned into CAD software. Through a series of linear and angular freeform manipulations of the body, the model was modified to display a cleft with a reduced alveolar gap. Sequential molding devices were produced which would gradually apply pressure to targeted areas of hard and soft tissue until the cleft is minimized. The resulting devices are printed using a stereolithography printer. The use of 3D printing and CAD software shows promise in improving the accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness of designing NAM devices. The accuracy and flexibility from digitally visualizing the manipulations made to an appliance before its creation can result in a more personalized device for the patient.

Esthetic evaluation of early rhinoplasty with complete unilateral cleft lip repair after nasoalveolar molding

Background: The aesthetic outcome of primary rhinoplasty with complete unilateral cleft lip repair is a challenging due to nasal deformities, tissue deficiencies and alveolar ridge displacement. The aim of this study is aesthetic evaluation of primary rhinoplasty with complete unilateral cleft lip repair after nasoalveolar molding (NAM). Patient and methods: The study was applied on 30 patients with complete unilateral cleft lip, mean age at presentation was 89.17± 73.02 days (range 15-260 days). Presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) was done for all patients with mean duration of molding 78.48± 5.635 days (range 66-87 days). Measurements of nose and alveolar defect were taken by caliper before application of the device and after application of the device and after one month of operation and compared with each other’s. All patients were subjected to lip repair with Millard technique with primary closed rhinoplasty. Primary rhinoplasty with cleft lip repair becomes easier since NAM diminishes the tension over the soft tissues and reduces severity of deformity in the lower lateral alar cartilages. Postoperative nasal stent has a great role in improve the esthetic outcome of primary rhinoplasty. Results: There were significant improvement of nasal symmetry and reduction of alveolar gap width (AGW) after use of NAM. Conclusion: This study suggests that PNAM within 15 days post-delivery is effective at reducing alveolar gap width, alignment of cleft alveolar segments and improvement of nasal symmetry as long as the parents cooperate in placing and maintaining the NAM device in the newborn’s mouth and nose.

Esthetic evaluation of early rhinoplasty with complete unilateral cleft lip repair after nasoalveolar molding

Background: The aesthetic outcome of primary rhinoplasty with complete unilateral cleft lip repair is a challenging due to nasal deformities, tissue deficiencies and alveolar ridge displacement. The aim of this study is aesthetic evaluation of primary rhinoplasty with complete unilateral cleft lip repair after nasoalveolar molding (NAM). Patient and methods: The study was applied on 30 patients with complete unilateral cleft lip, mean age at presentation was 89.17± 73.02 days (range 15-260 days). Presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) was done for all patients with mean duration of molding 78.48± 5.635 days (range 66-87 days). Measurements of nose and alveolar defect were taken by caliper before application of the device and after application of the device and after one month of operation and compared with each other’s. All patients were subjected to lip repair with Millard technique with primary closed rhinoplasty. Primary rhinoplasty with cleft lip repair becomes easier since NAM diminishes the tension over the soft tissues and reduces severity of deformity in the lower lateral alar cartilages. Postoperative nasal stent has a great role in improve the esthetic outcome of primary rhinoplasty. Results: There were significant improvement of nasal symmetry and reduction of alveolar gap width (AGW) after use of NAM. Conclusion: This study suggests that PNAM within 15 days post-delivery is effective at reducing alveolar gap width, alignment of cleft alveolar segments and improvement of nasal symmetry as long as the parents cooperate in placing and maintaining the NAM device in the newborn’s mouth and nose.

Segmental Maxillary Osteotomy to Close Wide Alveolar Clefts

Wide alveolar clefts are challenging to treat and are often associated with a higher chance of failure requiring repeated bone grafts. Even if successful, an excessively large cleft leads to a wide edentulous space, and patients are faced with prolonged orthodontic treatment. We present a series of large alveolar clefts closed with the aid of segmental maxillary osteotomies. Cases of alveolar clefts treated by segmental maxillary osteotomy from 2014 to 2016 were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans were analyzed to assess the alveolar gap and bone filling. Demographic characteristics, diagnoses, and operative techniques were reviewed and described. A total of 10 alveolar fistulae were addressed, using 6 segmental osteotomies in 6 patients. Of the cases, 66% were bilateral. There were 4 female and 2 male patients with an average age of 12.6years. The average preoperative cleft width was 14.2mm on computed tomography scans. Postoperatively, all clefts were successfully closed and no adverse effects were observed. Segmental maxillary osteotomy with concurrent bone grafting and fistula closure is an effective approach to treat excessively wide alveolar clefts. This enables a prudent dental substitution or prosthodontic planwhile minimizing prolonged orthodontia, in addition to achieving the traditional goals of alveolar bone grafting (stabilizing the maxillary arch, closing fistulae, and permitting canine eruption).

Effectiveness of presurgical nasoalveolar molding therapy on unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.

Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) in patients with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities.Methods:This was a retrospective study involving 29 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate defects, of whom 13 were treated with palatal devices with nasal stents (PNAM group) and 16 were treated with palatal devices without nasal stents or surgical tapes (control group). Submental oblique photographs and orthodontic models were longitudinally obtained at the initial visit (T1) and immediately before (T2) and after cheiloplasty (T3). Asymmetry of the external nose, degree of columellar shifting, nasal tip/ala nose ratio, nasal base angle, interalveolar gap, and the sagittal difference in the alveolar gap were measured. The study was conducted in the Orthodontic Clinic at Tokushima University Hospital, Tokushima, Japan between 1997 and 2012.Results:At T1, there were no significant intergroup differences in the first 4 asymmetry parameters. At T2, the PNAM group showed a significant improvement in all values compared to the control group. At T3, the PNAM group showed significant improvement in nasal asymmetry and columellar shifting. Model analysis showed significantly greater changes in the inter-alveolar gap and the sagittal difference of the alveolar cleft gap from T1 to T2 in the PNAM group.Conclusion:The use of PNAM is indispensable for pre-surgical orthodontic treatment at the early postnatal age.

A Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Efficiency of Grayson's Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding Technique in Patients with Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate with Those Treated with Figueroa's Modified Technique.

Background:Presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) has been used for aligning and not only for approximating the maxillary alveolar segments preoperatively but also for improving the nasal symmetry and therefore facilitates primary surgical repairs in cleft patients.Aim:This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and efficiency of Grayson's technique with Figueroa's modified presurgical nasoalveolar technique in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) infants.Materials and Methods:Twenty-two infants aged 10–15 days were randomly divided into two equal groups: Group I treated with Grayson's PNAM technique and Group II with Figueroa's PNAM technique.Results:When we compared nasal asymmetry values preoperatively and postoperatively of Group I and Group II, it was found that the nostril height increased significantly on the cleft side and nostril width decreased significantly postoperatively on the cleft side. When we compared nasal asymmetry values postoperatively of Group I with Group II, all the values were nonsignificant. When we compared the digital maxillary cast analysis outcomes preoperatively and postoperatively in Group I and Group II, it was found that there was a significant reduction in the alveolar gap and there is a significant increase in the arch width. When we compared the efficiency of Group I with Group II, it was found that Group II was more efficient than Group II.Conclusion:This study showed a morphological improvement in nasal symmetry and maxillary alveoli of infants with UCLP treated with both Grayson's PNAM technique and Figueroa's PNAM technique with Grayson's PNAM technique being more efficient.

Three-dimensional analysis of alveolar changes of complete unilateral cleft lip patients after presurgical nasoalveolar molding treatment

This study analyzed the alveolar changes of complete unilateral cleft lip (UCCL) patients after pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) treatment using a three-dimensional method. Palate impressions of thirty UCCL patients who underwent PNAM treatment in the Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were taken pre- and post-PNAM. The plaster impressions were scanned using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The DICOM files were exported and 3D models reconstructed in Mimics 15.0. The following parameters were analyzed in SPSS 17.0: cleft alveolar gap width, alveolar arch end width, upper lip frenulum-median plane distance, alveolar shift distance, and length of alveolar section. After PNAM treatment, the cleft alveolar gap width and upper lip frenulum-median plane distance decreased significantly (P<0.05). No statistically significant change was observed in the alveolar arch end width (P>0.05). Alveolar shift distances for both sides increased significantly (P<0.05), and the shift distance of major alveolar sec-tion had a more significant increase than the minor alveolar section. The lengths of the alveolar section of both sides increased significantly (P<0.05) with the length of the major alveolar section increasing more significantly than the minor alveolar section. The impression-CBCT method supply accurate three-dimensional data of the alveolar process. The PNAM treatment can significantly correct alveolar deformity and improve appearance.