Rehabilitation of a One-day-Old Neonate with Cleft Lip and Palate using Palatal Obturator: A Case Report

Abstract

Feeding a neonate with a complete cleft lip and palate is difficult pursuit due to communication between oral cavity and nasal cavity. A multidisciplinary approach is required to manage the complex problems involved in case of such neonates and their families. Present case is of a 1-day-old neonate having complete bilateral cleft lip and palate for which palatal obturator was constructed. A stepwise simple, easy and uncomplicated procedure for making accurate impressions, maxillary cast and fabrication of palatal obturator in infants with cleft lip and palate has been presented. The objective to present this case report is to emphasize the fact that how these palatal obturators /plates help in feeding, speech/language development, presurgical orthopedics and prevent other associated otorhinolaryngeal problems.How to cite this article: Bansal R, Pathak AK, Bhatia B, Gupta S, Gautam KK. Rehabilitation of a One-day Old Neonate with Cleft Lip and Palate using Palatal Obturator: A Case Report. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2012;5(2):145-147.

Single-visit Feeding Obturator Fabrication in Infants with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Case Series and Narrative Review of Literature

“…Hospital setting was advocated for impression taking, 15 high-volume suction should be available all the times to prevent accidental aspiration of separated impression material or regurgitated contents. 16 , 17 …”

“…Various positions such as supine position, 16 face downward position, 14 , 17 – 19 upright position 20 , 21 are recommended during impression making.…”

“…Single-step 15 , 17 , 18 , 20 , 28 , 29 ( Table 1 ) or twostep impression technique 9 , 16 , 19 , 23 – 26 , 29 – 32 ( Table 2 ) is followed by many authors, but the two-step technique has the advantage of fabrication of custom tray that will reduce the amount of material needed to make final impression and also prevents excess material that has the potential to block the airway. In the two-step impression technique, preliminary impression can be fabricated with self-cure acrylic.…”