EVALUATION OF CHANGES IN MAXILLARY ALVEOLAR MORPHOLOGY AFTER USING CONVENTIONAL VERSUS A DIGITAL NASOALVEOLAR MOLDING TECHNIQUE IN INFANTS WITH COMPLETE UNILATERAL CLEFT LIP AND PALATE: A RETROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the changes in maxillary alveolar morphology after using conventional versus a digital Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) technique in infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. For this retrospective study, 16 patients were divided into two groups based on the NAM technique: group 1 (individualized digital NAM) and group 2 (conventional NAM), with 8 patients each. A three-dimensional model of the maxillary segments was collected at the initial visit and prior to cheiloplasty. The dimensional changes between the 2 time points for each group were evaluated as follows: cleft gap, anterior and posterior arch width, angle of rotation, and length of both segments. The results showed that almost all parameters have no significant intergroup differences. However, there was a significant difference in the cleft gap and angulation of the greater segment (p <0.05), with group 1 showing greater changes than group 2. In conclusion, both novel digital and conventional NAM therapy similarly improve maxillary alveolar segment deformities. Digital technology in NAM therapy can serve as an alternative treatment to the conventional NAM technique.