Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: nasoalveolar moulding: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: nasoalveolar moulding

Sample item

A newborn with a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate is fitted with a plate carrying a nasal stent for several weeks before surgery. What is the purpose of this nasoalveolar moulding?

ANarrow the cleft and shape the nose before lip repairBImprove suckling by creating a seal for the lipsCStimulate growth of the mandible through tractionDClose the palatal defect permanently so surgery is unnecessary

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Narrow the cleft and shape the nose before lip repair

Nasoalveolar moulding uses an acrylic plate with a nasal stent, adjusted weekly, to bring the alveolar segments closer and to reshape the nasal cartilages and columella. This gives a better surgical result at lip repair. The palate still needs surgical closure.

Option by option

A. Narrow the cleft and shape the nose before lip repair (correct)
Correct. It reduces the cleft width and shapes the nose ahead of surgery.
B. Improve suckling by creating a seal for the lips
Feeding is not its aim, though feeding plates exist for other purposes.
C. Stimulate growth of the mandible through traction
It has no effect on mandibular growth.
D. Close the palatal defect permanently so surgery is unnecessary
The plate does not close the palatal cleft permanently, which still requires surgery.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Narrow the cleft and shape the nose before lip repair. Nasoalveolar moulding uses an acrylic plate with a nasal stent, adjusted weekly, to bring the alveolar segments closer and to reshape the nasal cartilages and columella.

Why is "Improve suckling by creating a seal for the lips" not the answer?

Feeding is not its aim, though feeding plates exist for other purposes.

Why is "Stimulate growth of the mandible through traction" not the answer?

It has no effect on mandibular growth.

Why is "Close the palatal defect permanently so surgery is unnecessary" not the answer?

The plate does not close the palatal cleft permanently, which still requires surgery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: nasoalveolar moulding in Dentistry. This gives a better surgical result at lip repair. The palate still needs surgical closure.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: nasoalveolar moulding?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.