RESUMO
The goals of this study were to present presurgical naso-alveolar molding (PNAM) appliance in unilateral cleft lip and palate treatment and to evaluate the effects of PNAM appliance on alveolar molding. Samples were consisted of 4 unilateral cleft lip and palate infants (3 males and 1 female, mean age=23.2 days after birth) who were treated with PNAM appliances in Department of Orthodontics, Seoul National University Dental Hospital. Average alveolar cleft gap between the greater and lesser segment was 8.27 mm and average duration of alveolar molding treatment was 9.7 weeks. These patients' models were obtained at initial visit (TI) and after successful alveolar molding (T2). Seven linear and five angular variables were measured by using photometry and digital caliper. All statistical analyses were performed by SPSS win ver. 7.5 program. Paired t-test was used to compare the mean values. 1. The posterior part of alveolar segments are the stable structures during alveolar molding treatment period in infants. 2. Forward growth of the greater segment may be hindered by the action of alveolar molding. 3. The closure of cleft gap during alveolar molding were usually due to inward and backward bending of the anterior part of the greater segment and outward bending of the whole lesser segment.