Three-dimensional comparison in palatal forms between the modified presurgical nasoalveolar molding plate and the Hotz plate applied to the infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate

The presurgical nasoalveolar molding plate appliance with stent (PNAM) extended from the palatal molding plate to correct the nostril shape of infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP) is well known. In order to build up nasal stents even before reducing the severe alveolar deformity, we made modified PNAM from the idealized alveolar setup model. In this study we assessed the effect of the modified PNAM and the Hotz Plate prior to cheiloplasty. The lateral deviation of the incisal point, the width of palatal cleft, and the degree of curvature of the palatal vault were evaluated on the plaster models. On the lateral deviation of the incisal point, PNAM group is smaller than the Hotz group. The decreased average width of the palatal cleft and curvature of the palate was almost same in Hotz and PNAM groups. Compared with Hotz plate the modified PNAM appliance is not spoiled the effect to mold the alveolar segments and reduce the cleft width by stent.