JBI Evid Synth 2022 Jun 10. Epub 2022 Jun 10.
Division of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Deformities, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India Periodontics Division, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India Orthodontic and Craniofacial Department, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion, Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel Unit of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Department of Dentistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India Laboratory Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, India Orthodontic Department, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, KSA Department of Orthodontics, University of Puthisastra, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Objective: This review will compare the efficacy of nasoalveolar molding plates fabricated using a digital workflow and compare these with conventional fabrication methods or no intervention in infants with cleft lip or palate.
Introduction: Nasoalveolar molding reduces the severity of the orofacial defect in infants with cleft lip or palate using a series of adaptable plates for the maxillary arch. The conventional method needs multiple patient visits at short intervals for treatment. A digital workflow can be used to fabricate multiple plates in one appointment. This eliminates human error, reduces the number of appointments, and allocates more time for patient care than appliance fabrication.
Inclusion Criteria: This review will consider clinical studies that report the results of digital nasoalveolar molding in individuals with cleft lip or palate and compare it to conventional methods or to no treatment.
Methods: This review will be conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Oral Health Group Trial Register, and ClinicalTrials.gov will be searched using appropriate keywords. Publications in English will be considered. Screening based on titles and abstracts will be done after de-duplication, followed by full-text reading for selection based on the inclusion criteria. Data extracted from the studies will be tabulated and assessed for risk of bias. If applicable, a meta-analysis of the pooled data will be done.
Systematic Review Registration Number: PROSPERO (CRD42020186452).