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Published on: February 5, 2019

Feeding obturator appliance for an infant with cleft lip and palate

P Chandna1, V K Adlakha, N Singh

  • 1Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Subharti Dental College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. drpreetikachandna@gmail.com

Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
|April 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A feeding obturator was successfully used in an infant with bilateral cleft lip and palate. This device aids feeding and manages the condition in newborns with orofacial clefts.

Area of Science:

  • Craniofacial anomalies
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Neonatal care

Background:

  • Cleft lip and palate are common congenital facial anomalies.
  • Effective management is crucial for infant feeding and development.
  • Early intervention strategies are continuously being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case report of a neonate with bilateral cleft lip and palate.
  • To demonstrate the indications, construction, and benefits of a feeding obturator.
  • To highlight the utility of palatal obturators in early infant care.

Main Methods:

  • A feeding obturator was designed and delivered to an 11-day-old infant.
  • The obturator was custom-made to fit the infant's specific cleft anatomy.
  • Clinical observation focused on feeding efficacy and infant tolerance.

Main Results:

  • The feeding obturator facilitated improved feeding in the neonate.
  • The device demonstrated ease of construction and application.
  • The infant tolerated the obturator well, indicating its practical benefit.

Conclusions:

  • Palatal obturators are beneficial for managing feeding in infants with cleft lip and palate.
  • Early use of feeding obturators can positively impact neonatal outcomes.
  • This case underscores the value of obturator therapy in managing complex cleft conditions.

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