Comparative Analysis of Soft and Hard Tissue Outcomes Following Nasoalveolar Molding in Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) has been widely used to manage cleft lip and palate (CLP) anomalies, significantly impacting both soft and hard tissues. This systematic review aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of NAM in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) patients by analyzing pretreatment and post-treatment outcomes. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to October 2023 identified 1136 studies, of which 3 met the inclusion criteria after full-text screening and duplicate removal. The application of NAM in both UCLP and BCLP patients resulted in a statistically significant reduction in cleft gap and maxillary arch width. However, insufficient data limited the detailed quantitative analysis of soft tissue changes. In conclusion, NAM therapy appears effective in reducing alveolar and palatal cleft deformities in both UCLP and BCLP patients, but its impact on maxillary arch dimensions is limited, emphasizing the need for individualized treatment strategies. Further research is necessary to explore soft tissue changes and to establish more precise guidelines for NAM’s application in cleft care.