Naso-alveolar molding for newborn cleft lip and palate.

The nasoalveolarmolding (NAM) technique is a relatively new approach to pre-surgical infant orthopedics that reduces the severity of the initial cleft alveolar and nasal deformity before surgery. This technique has proved to be an effective adjunctive therapy for reducing cleft deformity before surgery. Data on NAM are inconsistent with changes in nasal symmetry. However, there is a trend towards a positive effect. Therefore, it is of interest to report clinicians an overview of NAM appliance and method for nasal symmetry assessment to facilitate greater usage of this technique in contemporary practice. Thus, the biomechanics of pre-surgical infant orthopedics and of nasal stent that skillfully shape alveolus and nasal cartilage is explained.