Effects of Computer-Aided Design-Nasoalveolar Molding on Midface Growth in Patients With Complete Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate at 8 Years of Age.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of computer-aided design-nasoalveolar molding (CAD-NAM) on maxillary and midface growth in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) in the early mixed dentition period.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A total of 19 patients with complete nonsyndromic BCLP were included in this study. Among them, 7 BCLP patients who underwent CAD-NAM were recruited in the CAD-NAM group. The control group consisted of 12 BCLP patients with non-presurgical orthopedic treatment. The patients from both groups did not receive any postoperative orthodontic treatment until this evaluation. Lateral cephalograms were obtained from these patients at the age of 8.55 years, and eventually, 33 landmarks were identified. Digital cephalometric analysis was conducted to investigate the differences between the 2 groups. The independent-samples t test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was observed in angulation and length measurements of the cranial base, maxilla, mandible, intermaxillary and dental structures, facial heights, and soft tissue between both groups ( P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that CAD-NAM has no apparent long-term negative effects on skeletal or soft tissue growth in the facial region of patients receiving this therapy compared with those without the treatment of presurgical infant orthopedics (PSIO). Furthermore, this therapy can maintain the nasolabial morphology.