Next Article in Journal
Computer Simulation of the Mechanical Behavior of the ‘Zygomatic Bones–Implants–Splinting Bar–Removable Overdenture’ Dental Structure Under Operational Loads
Previous Article in Journal
Sustainable Dental and Periodontal Practice: A Narrative Review on the 4R-Framework—Reduce, Reuse, Rethink, Recycle—And Waste Management Rationalization
Previous Article in Special Issue
Mortality Associated with Orofacial Clefts in Brazil
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Dentistry Journal
Volume 13
Issue 9
10.3390/dj13090394
dentistry-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nasoalveolar Molding in the Management of Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Cohort Study

by
Alba España-Guerrero
1,
Enrique España-Guerrero
2,
Esther Liceras-Liceras
3,4,
Elena Bullejos-Martínez
5,
Adoración Martínez-Plaza
4,6,
Miguel Alaminos
7,8,*,
Ricardo Fernández-Valadés
3,4,7,8,* and
Antonio España-López
2,4
1
Doctoral Program in Clinical Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
2
Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
3
Division of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
4
Craniofacial Malformations and Cleft Lip and Palate Management Unit (Unidad de Fisurados Labiopalatinos y Malformaciones Craneofaciales), University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
5
University Hospital Foundation Jiménez Díaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
6
Division of Oral y Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
7
Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
8
Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Dent. J. 2025, 13(9), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13090394
Submission received: 28 July 2025 / Revised: 23 August 2025 / Accepted: 27 August 2025 / Published: 28 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Orofacial Cleft Research)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background: Children affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) represent a therapeutic challenge requiring the development of novel therapies, such as the implant of a bioengineered tissue—BIOCLEFT—or the use of nasoalveolar molding (NAM). The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of NAM on the surgical and aesthetic outcomes of children with UCLP. Methods: A total of 36 children with UCLP treated at a craniofacial malformations management unit were evaluated, including 23 patients treated with presurgical NAM followed by palate surgical correction (NAM group) and 13 patients treated surgically without previous NAM (non-NAM group). Measurements were obtained from each patient immediately before palate surgery, including four linear measurements: nasal ala projection length (NAPL), nasal dome height (NDH), superoinferior alar groove position (S-I AGP), and nasal dome position (M-L NDP), and two angular measurements: columellar deviation (CD) and nasal bridge deviation (NBD). Results: When NAM was used, a significant improvement of the basilar view linear measurements of the patient’s nose was found, including the NAPL and NDH, and the frontal view linear measurement M-L NDP, but not S-I AGP. Significant improvements were also observed in the angular measurements of nasal symmetry CD and NBD. All these variables, except the S-I AGP, significantly correlated with the treatment group, and two variables—NAPL and CD—significantly contributed to generate a predictive model developed using binary logistic regression. Conclusions: These findings support the use of NAM to efficiently improve the nasal symmetry and the presurgical outcomes of patients with UCLP.
Keywords: nasoalveolar molding; unilateral cleft lip and palate; nasal symmetry nasoalveolar molding; unilateral cleft lip and palate; nasal symmetry

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

España-Guerrero, A.; España-Guerrero, E.; Liceras-Liceras, E.; Bullejos-Martínez, E.; Martínez-Plaza, A.; Alaminos, M.; Fernández-Valadés, R.; España-López, A. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nasoalveolar Molding in the Management of Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Cohort Study. Dent. J. 2025, 13, 394. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13090394

AMA Style

España-Guerrero A, España-Guerrero E, Liceras-Liceras E, Bullejos-Martínez E, Martínez-Plaza A, Alaminos M, Fernández-Valadés R, España-López A. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nasoalveolar Molding in the Management of Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Cohort Study. Dentistry Journal. 2025; 13(9):394. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13090394

Chicago/Turabian Style

España-Guerrero, Alba, Enrique España-Guerrero, Esther Liceras-Liceras, Elena Bullejos-Martínez, Adoración Martínez-Plaza, Miguel Alaminos, Ricardo Fernández-Valadés, and Antonio España-López. 2025. "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nasoalveolar Molding in the Management of Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Cohort Study" Dentistry Journal 13, no. 9: 394. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13090394

APA Style

España-Guerrero, A., España-Guerrero, E., Liceras-Liceras, E., Bullejos-Martínez, E., Martínez-Plaza, A., Alaminos, M., Fernández-Valadés, R., & España-López, A. (2025). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nasoalveolar Molding in the Management of Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Cohort Study. Dentistry Journal, 13(9), 394. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13090394

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop