title: Changes in maxillary alveolar morphology with nasoalveolar molding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the changes in maxillary alveolar morphology in unilateral cleft lip palate infants treated with nasoalveolar molding (NAM).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NAM was effective in reducing the severity of the initial cleft deformity mainly at the anterior portion of the maxillary arch.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Sharad Pawar Dental College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha 442004, India. sabari23@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Sabarinath
authors.forename: Pallavi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thombare
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Hazarey
authors.forename: Vasant
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Radhakrishnan
authors.forename: Sushil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agrekar
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology*; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology*; D003765:Models, Dental; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome