What is the Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) Treatment?

Also known as: NAM, cleft lip/palate repair

For many newborns with a cleft lip or palate, reconstructive treatment can begin soon after birth with use of a pre-surgical device known as a nasoalveolar molding (NAM) appliance. This appliance, which is made of acrylic, is used by the Craniofacial Center team to support repair of a child’s lip and nose, and can help reduce the amount of surgical treatment required. The device is utilized to:

• Restore the relationship between the skeleton, cartilage and soft tissue pre-surgically
• Align and approximate the alveolar segments
• Correct positioning of the nasal cartilage
• Correct the nasal tip, the position of the area below the nose extending to the upper lip, and the portion of the nose between the nostrils

NAM Evaluation

Children should be evaluated by the Craniofacial Center staff shortly after birth, preferably when the infant is 1 to 2 weeks old. At that time, the team will assess the child to see if he or she is a candidate for the NAM device.

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Reviewed by: Chad A Perlyn, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM