Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) at Elk Grove Orthodontics
A Gentle Start for a Brighter Smile: Expert Cleft Lip and Palate Care
Discovering your child has a cleft lip or palate can be overwhelming. At Elk Grove Orthodontics, we understand. Dr. Matthew Sandretti and our compassionate team are here to provide expert guidance and a gentle, effective start to your child's treatment journey. We specialize in Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM), a non-surgical therapy that helps prepare your infant for the best possible surgical outcome, right here in our comfortable, stress-free Elk Grove office.
What is Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM)?
Nasoalveolar Molding is a presurgical treatment that gently guides the growth of your baby’s gums, lip, and nose during the first few weeks of life. Using a small, custom-fitted appliance similar to a retainer, NAM helps reduce the size of the cleft gap. This simple step can make a significant difference, preparing your baby for a more successful primary repair surgery.
As a trusted partner to craniofacial teams and pediatricians, we are dedicated to providing this specialized care with advanced technology and a personal touch.
The Benefits of Early NAM Treatment
Starting NAM therapy soon after birth helps set the foundation for your child's future smile and well-being. Our goal is to make the surgical process simpler and more effective.
The benefits include:
- Improved Surgical Outcomes: Narrows the gap in the lip and gum, creating a better foundation for the surgeon.
- Enhanced Nasal Symmetry: A nasal stent gently lifts and shapes the nose, improving its form and symmetry.
- Potential for Fewer Surgeries: By improving the initial surgical result, NAM can reduce the need for future revision surgeries.
- Better Feeding Support: The appliance can provide a solid surface for the tongue, which may help improve feeding before surgery.
- Guides Growth: Uses your baby’s natural, rapid growth to achieve significant results in a short time.
The NAM Process: A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Child's Care
Your family's comfort and confidence are our priorities. We use state-of-the-art iTero digital scanning to create precise, impression-free models of your baby’s mouth, ensuring the best possible fit. Here’s what you can expect on your journey with us.
Step 1: Your First Consultation
We'll meet with you and your baby, typically within the first two weeks of life, to discuss the process. Using our gentle digital scanner, we'll capture images to create the custom NAM appliance.
Step 2: Fitting the Appliance
Your baby will be fitted with their personal molding plate. We will show you how to place, remove, and clean the device, and how to use special tape to keep it secure.
Step 3: Weekly Visits
You will visit our Elk Grove office weekly. At each appointment, Dr. Sandretti will make small adjustments to the appliance to gently guide the gums and lip segments closer together.
Step 4: Adding the Nasal Stent
Once the gap in the gums is small enough, a nasal stent is added to the appliance. This piece helps to lift and shape the nasal cartilage, creating a more symmetrical appearance.
Step 5: Preparing for Surgery
NAM treatment continues until your child’s primary lip repair surgery, typically around 3-4 months of age. We work closely with your craniofacial surgeon to coordinate a seamless transition to the next stage of care.
Reassurance From Our Patient Families
"Finding out we needed specialized care was scary, but the team at Elk Grove Orthodontics made us feel at home. They were so gentle with our baby and explained every step. We felt supported the whole way."
"Dr. Sandretti’s expertise gave us so much confidence. Seeing the progress each week was amazing. We’re so grateful for this treatment and the kindness we were shown."
"The weekly visits were easy and the staff was always so welcoming. They truly care about their patients and it shows. We highly recommend them to any family starting this journey."
