Comparison of Microbial Activity Among Infants With or Without Using Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding Appliance

PURPOSE: The aim of the current study is as follows: (1) to study whether wearing the presurgical nasoalveolar molding appliance (PNAM) had facilitated the establishment of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus ( LB) and to determine other factors including pH and caries susceptibility associated with wearing the PNAM.

METHODS: Saliva samples of 61 infants (4.5 ± 2.06 months old) were collected from the following 3 groups: PNAM (n = 23), healthy (n = 30), and cleft lip and palate (CLP) without any treatment (n = 8). Saliva samples were assessed using selective agar to enumerate total LB and S mutans and subjected to adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-driven bioluminescence determinations using a luciferin-based assay system, and pH level was evaluated. One-way analysis of variance with least significant difference post hoc test ( P < .05) and Pearson correlation were used to evaluate S mutans, LB, pH, and ATP levels.

RESULTS: A total of 63 patients (30 healthy patients, 23 patients with cleft lip/palate who had PNAM appliance and 8 patients with cleft lip/palate who did not use the appliance) were seen in this study. There is a significant difference in pH ( P = .012), LB Caries Risk Test ( P < .001), LB colony count ( P < .001), S mutans Caries Risk Test ( P < .001), and S mutans colony count ( P < .001) among the 3 groups (PNAM > CLP > healthy). The ATP level was not significantly different among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSION: Higher bacterial count and lower pH were found in the PNAM group. Cleft lip and/or palate patients wearing the PNAM appliance are at higher risk for dental caries.