April 11
Been researching a lot for this NAM (Nasoalveolar molding), recently invented and very useful for Cleft & Palate but sadly not to be seen in India ( based on Online Search )
Note : All Information has been collected from various Sources and compiled for the benefit of the reader, please check with the individual Professionals / Doc & Hospitals for the updated info.
What is NAM?
Nasoalveolar molding is a nonsurgical method of reshaping the gums, lip and nostrils before cleft lip and palate surgery, lessening the severity of the cleft.
Why NAM?
Nasal Alveolar molding, a pre-surgery appliance therapy, used along with surgery can significantly reduce the facial disfigurement of cleft lip/palate patients
Who Invented NAM
The NAM was invented at NYU Medical Center by Dr. Barry Grayson, an orthodontist who has been working with children and babies with cleft lip and palate for many years.
How Does NAM Work?
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At your child’s first visit, the Children’s pediatric orthodontist will take a mold of your infant’s mouth.
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The orthodontist will then create a custom-made plastic plate of your child’s mouth, lip and nostrils.
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Your child will wear the plate 24-hours a day for approximately six months. The plate is held in the mouth by surgical skin tape that also helps guide the growth of your child’s face.
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Each week, the orthodontist will reshape the plate, reducing your child’s cleft and reshaping his facial features
What are the Goals of NAM
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To restore the correct skeletal, cartilaginous, and soft tissue relationship pre-surgically.
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To align and approximate the intraoral alveolar segments (greater/lesser segments).
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To correct the malposition of the nasal cartilages.
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To correct the nasal tip and the alar base on the affected side(s), as well as the position of the philtrum and columella.
Advantages of NAM
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The NAM device reduces the number of surgeries required during a patient’s lifetime, which in turn reduces facial scarring, trauma, inconvenience and cost involved in additional surgeries.
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Pre-surgical molding means that things are where they should be (or as close as possible) before the surgeon even makes the first incision.
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Because the NAM device covers the roof of your infant’s mouth, the NAM appliance also helps with feeding.
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By the time of the surgery, the nose has been lifted and narrowed, the gap in the gums is smaller and the lips are closer together.
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A smaller gap means less tension when the surgeon closes the cleft. In our experience this results in a better final result than if NAM had not been done.
When can we do the NAM Procedure?
Typically, the NAM technique is started when your child is only 2 weeks old and is worn until his first surgery (typically at 6 months of age).
Why so early?
The NAM is only effective in infants because their cartilage is malleable. After 6 months of age, your child’s cartilage is no longer malleable, his teeth begin to come in and he is able to take out the NAM appliance.
how does NAM look like, Some Images of NAM?
Please check this amazing website of JACKIE
http://www.cleftstories.com/cleft-lip-palate-archives/nam-gallery-2/
All the above Information are extracts from the Following Websites :-
[...] had sent NYU – Dr Maroutsis, Margy the Co-ordinater for Dr. Grayson (Pioneer of NAM Device) asking them if they have trained anyone in India who specializes in NAM. They asked me for couple [...]
What would be the proper CDT code to use for a NAM aplliance.