2000 Volume 25 Issue 3 Pages 263-272
Since 1992, we have been designing the palatal plate for cleft palate neonates by the application of therrnoplastics as pre-surgical treatment since 1992. 110 neonatal patients with cleft palate have been treated with this procedure. The average duration for using the plate was the age of from 1.5 months to 12.5 months. Feeding changed from the usage of particular nipple or tube feeding, to normal feeding in all cases, except those with severe systemic disorder. The weaning period was also normal。 The cleft-width of the alveolar arch and hard palate decreased significantly. This was caused by the growth of the frontal points and the palatal process of segments, not by the mechanical constriction, itself. The total time for making each plate was 60 minutes or less. This included taking the impression and setting time. A new plate is made every 2 months to allow for growth of the alveolar arch and hard palate. Our design is an improvement because the plate is water-resistant, thinner, and semi-transparent, It consists of only one layer of materiaL There is no need for grinding the growth guide. We conclude that our pre-surgical treatment improved significantly the condition of cleft palate neonates.
