What Is Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM)?
Nasoalveolar molding is a pre-surgical treatment that can improve cleft repair outcomes. Here is what parents should know.
Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a non-surgical treatment that uses a custom-made appliance to reshape the gums, lip, and nose of a baby born with a cleft lip and palate before surgery.
- How it works:
- A custom-made acrylic appliance is fitted to the baby's upper gum within the first 1β2 weeks after birth
- The appliance is adjusted weekly to gradually move the gum segments closer together
- Small tapes extend from the appliance to the cheeks to guide the lip and nasal tissues
- A nasal stent (a small projection) lifts and shapes the nostril
- What it achieves:
- Aligns the separated gum segments
- Reduces the width of the cleft
- Improves nasal symmetry
- Makes the lip repair easier and more stable
- Often reduces the number of surgeries needed
- Duration:
- NAM treatment begins within the first 1β2 weeks of life
- Continues until the lip repair surgery at 3β6 months
- Parents learn to remove and reinsert the appliance for cleaning
Who Needs It?
- NAM is most beneficial for:
- Complete unilateral cleft lip and palate
- Complete bilateral cleft lip and palate
- Wide clefts that would be difficult to close surgically
Clinical Guidance
Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a pre-surgical treatment that uses a custom appliance to reshape a baby's gums, lip, and nose before cleft repair surgery. It improves surgical outcomes and is typically used in the first 3β6 months of life.