Preparation of feeding obturators for infants with cleft lip and palate

Abstract

Clefts of the lip and palate are the commonest congenital craniofacial malformations in children. Sucking is impaired in infants born with complete clefts of the lip and palate. Feeding obturators improve feeding thereby contributing to weight gain and a thriving state of health, a prerequisite for surgical repair of the defects. A pediatric dentist may be required to fabricate the obturator. A method for constructing the appliance is presented. The severity of the clefts varies so much that stock trays are not always useful for the impression of the infant's maxillary arch. A preliminary impression is taken by introducing a thermoplastic impression material with the index and middle fingers as the tray. A model is produced from which a custom tray is constructed. The final maxillary impression is taken using an irreversible hydrocolloid with the child in an upright position. An obturator is constructed on the stone model by sprinkling soft autopolymerizing acrylic resin on the palate extending well into the mucobuccal fold area. The cured appliance is trimmed and polished prior to insertion.