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Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago

Nasoalveolar Molding
How Does Nasoalveolar Molding Improve Cleft Outcomes?

 

Nasoalveolar Molding Chicago

Nasoalveolar molding, or NAM for short, is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive approach to reshaping the lips, gums, and nose prior to cleft lip and palate surgery.

Children born with an incomplete formation of the upper lip, or a cleft lip, often require surgical intervention to correct the problem so that breathing, eating, and speaking can develop normally. The same applies to a cleft palate, a similar defect in the roof of the mouth. While these can occur individually, they frequently appear together, exacerbating the severity of the condition as well as the procedures required to repair them.

Nasoalveolar molding is an innovative method used primarily in children that have particularly wide or large clefts. The NAM technique uses a plastic-like plate to reduce the cleft before the initial cleft lip repair, often resulting in fewer overall procedures your child may need over the course of their development.

Nasoalveolar Molding

IS MY CHILD A CANDIDATE FOR NASOALVEOLAR MOLDING?

Traditionally, a child with a complete cleft lip, including a cleft in the gum, or wide cleft lip and palate might require multiple surgeries to fully restore appearance and functionality to the lip, nose and mouth. Nasoalveolar molding is not an alternative to surgery; however, it has greatly improved cleft care by reducing the size of the cleft prior to the initial surgery and decreasing the number of necessary procedures.

NAM is used on infants to gently direct the position of the gums, nose, and lips while the tissue is soft and easily formed. If your newborn is affected by a cleft lip or palate, consult with a plastic surgeon to see if nasoalveolar molding is a viable treatment option.

HOW NASOALVEOLAR MOLDING IS PERFORMED

Nasoalveolar molding can begin as earlier as three to four weeks of age. The customized plastic plate is shaped specifically for your baby’s mouth and looks much like a retainer. It is held in place with rubber bands and is usually taped to the baby’s cheeks to avoid being dislodged.

Infants wear the molding plate continuously, even when feeding, for the first few months after birth. Every one to two weeks, the plate is modified in order to mold the gums to close the gap between them.

NAM not only reduces the cleft inside the mouth, but also narrows the gap in the cleft lip, as well as lifts and narrows the nose. The technique is not painful; instead, nasoalveolar molding gently guides the growth of affected areas.

Cleft lip and palate surgery is performed after the molding regiment is complete, typically between three and six months of age. During this procedure, flaps of tissue are created and gently brought together to close the gap.

RECOVERY AND POTENTIAL RISKS OF NAM

There is no recovery period for nasoalveolar molding, since it is a nonsurgical method. There is, however, a recovery period after the cleft lip and palate repair. The only known risks associated with NAM are skin and gum irritation, since it is a minimally invasive technique that does not require any incisions or surgical intervention by itself.

WHAT DOES NASOALVEOLAR MOLDING COST?

NAM is designed to reduce not only the number of procedures required to treat a cleft lip and palate, but also the overall cost of the treatment. NAM therapy costs can range from $4,000 to $6,000 depending on the recommended treatment and extent of the cleft. Be sure to discuss all costs with your plastic surgeon during your consultation. Your medical insurance may cover some or all of the cost associated with nasoalveolar molding; contact your health insurance provider before your child undergoes the procedure.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

The Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago is comprised of experts in pediatric care and reconstructive surgery. At our clinic, your child’s care will be in the hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon that has specialty training in both NAM and cleft surgery. You can rest assured that the personalized attention your child gets now is the same care that he or she will receive throughout their entire treatment plan. For questions about nasoalveolar molding, call our clinic to schedule a consultation.

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Can you spot the difference between the before and after? 🔍

This patient wanted and underwent a subtle, natural-looking lip lift to improve the height and proportions of her upper lip and the amount of tooth show. Post-op, the surgical site scar is nearly invisible, lying flat and soft against the skin. The difference might be subtle, but the results speak for themselves! 👄

Posted with permission.

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Can you believe we removed nearly 5 pounds of breast tissue? 🌸

Breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure that removes excess fat and glandular tissue from the breasts to reach a size that is proportionate to other parts of the body. This transformative procedure can equally be useful in alleviating discomfort from overly large breasts. The weight of excess breast tissue can lead to physical issues, such as back problems and neck pain. From reducing back pain to enhancing everyday mobility and confidence, breast reduction can be a life-changing step toward feeling more comfortable in your body. ✨

Posted with permission.

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Fall and Winter 🤝 The Best Seasons for Plastic Surgery

Why are Fall and Winter the best times to get plastic surgery?
1. Less Sun Exposure
— Reduced sunlight is favorable for minimizing hyperpigmentation and promoting scar healing.
2. Loose-Fitting Clothes
— Wearing layers of loose clothing in the colder months allows for more protection of surgical areas and easier concealment of bandages and compression garments, making the recovery process less noticeable.
3. Reduced Swelling
— Cooler temperatures help to minimize swelling after surgery and speed up the recovery process.
4. Holiday Time Off
— The holiday season usually provides extended time off from work or school, which is beneficial for post-operative recovery

At our clinic, patient care is our top priority, and choosing the right time for your procedure is part of that commitment. Thus, we optimally recommend the fall and winter time to plan, undergo, and recover from plastic surgery. 🍂❄️

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Ethnic Rhinoplasty is all about enhancing your natural beauty while respecting the unique features that make you, you! Ethnic rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct both functional and aesthetic concerns in the nose of a patient of Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic or African American descent. Our goal is to create balanced, results that are still harmonious to your racial background and individuality. Aesthetic beauty ideals and facial features can be vastly different between races and therefore, it is important to consider ethnic differences when planning and performing this procedure. 🫶

This patient wanted a subtle, natural change to her nose. We reduced her dorsal hump, slimmed down her nasal dorsum, defined and lifted the tip of her nose, and reduced her nostril show. Posted with permission.

#Explore #ExplorePage #discoverunder100k #EthnicRhinoplasty #EthnicNoseJob #Rhinoplasty #NoseJob #PlasticSurgery #PlasticSurgeon #CosmeticSurgery #Chicago #ChicagoPlasticSurgery #ChicagoPlasticSurgeon #PlasticSurgeryChicago
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How do you choose the best breast implant size for your body? Breast augmentation, one of our most sought-after procedures, uses implants to enhance your breasts’ shape and size. Consulting with your plastic surgeon is key to helping you decide which breast implant size is the best for your body and goals! Here is a general guideline for determining cup sizes. ✍️

Each body type and breast footprint is different and there are various factors such as your height, weight, and breast measurements that will affect which cup size is most ideal for you. Cup size is very arbitrary and subjective for each patient. Implant sizes range anywhere from 100 CC to 800 CC. In general, 200 CCs represent a 1-cup size increase. In the video, you can see various examples of cup size increases in the breast augmentations that patients have undergone. The best way to determine which breast implant size is best for your body is by consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon who will help you make the best decision.

#Explore #ExplorePage #discoverunder100k #BreastAugmentation #GummyBearImplants #gummybear #BreastImplants #PlasticSurgery #PlasticSurgeon #CosmeticSurgery #Chicago #ChicagoPlasticSurgery #ChicagoPlasticSurgeon #PlasticSurgeryChicago #GlowUp #breastimplantsize
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Breast augmentation, one of our most popular procedures, is a surgical procedure that uses implants to enhance the size and projection of the breasts. It’s important to consult with your surgeon to help decide which breast implant type is the best for your body and goals! Here is a quick breakdown of the different breast implant types to help you make an informed decision. 💭

Low-Profile: Low-profile implants are less filled, lower in height and projection, and have a wider base. These implants are ideal for patients who want a natural, subtle enhancement and result.

Moderate-Profile: Moderate-profile implants are more filled, medium in height, and standard in projection. In comparison to low-profile implants, they have a slightly narrower base width relative to projection. These implants are ideal for patients who want natural results with more projection.

High-Profile: High-profile implants are even more filled, tall in height, and have maximum projection in combination with a narrow base width. These implants are ideal for patients who want a more dramatic result with high projection.

Textured: Textured implants are not recommended for primary augmentation. These implants are linked to breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Sizer: Sizer implants are silicone devices that help patients and surgeons determine the right implant size for a patient’s frame and goals. These implants can also give a good estimate of postoperative size.

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As the seasons change, so should your skincare! Fall is all about keeping your skin hydrated as the air gets cooler and drier. Here’s a go-to fall skincare routine you can reference when swapping out your summer products to help your skin thrive: 🍂

1. Start with a hydrating cleanser
2. Use a toner to remove any excess dirt, oil, makeup, and residue
3. Incorporate a gentle retinol
4. Boost brightness with a Vitamin-C serum
5. Swap your lightweight moisturizer for a richer, thicker formula
6. Don’t skip the SPF (yes, even in fall!)
7. Take care of your lips with a nourishing lip balm
8. Moisturize your hands with a thick hand cream

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