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Updated: May 6, 2026

Method of Studying Palatal Fusion using Static Organ Culture
Published on: September 19, 2015
Incidental Exfoliation of a Natal Tooth During Impression Making for Nasoalveolar Molding in an Infant With Cleft Lip
Shafees Koya1, Izaan Ismail Kalathingal2, H Hari Kishore Bhat3
1Yenepoya Smile Train Cleft Project, Center for Craniofacial Anomalies, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
Abstract:
Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a standard presurgical intervention to improve feeding and nasolabial symmetry in infants with cleft lip and palate. Natal teeth are rare in this population and may complicate orthopedic care. This report describes the incidental exfoliation of a natal tooth during secondary impression making for NAM in a 2-week-old infant with unilateral cleft lip and palate. The case emphasizes the importance of careful neonatal oral examination to reduce the risk of bleeding, aspiration, and procedural complications.
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