Neonatal ALF Therapy

Neonatal ALF Care is a proactive solution for narrow palate and upper jaws in infants. Even with comprehensive multidisciplinary care to address tethered oral tissues, infants may still struggle to connect their whole tongue's surface to the roof of their mouth. This may be due to a vaulted palate or lack of neuromuscular integration.

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Neonatal ALF in our practice has alleviated symptoms of:

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• Chronic mouth breathing

• Downturned corners of one or both eyes, as the width of the upper jaw impacts the shape of the eye sockets

• Reduced nasal passage size, since the palate serves as the floor of the nose

• Inadequate neuromuscular connection between the tongue and the roof of the mouth

• Lack of movement coordination between tongue motion and cranial bone development, affecting overall skull balance

• External pressure from the cheeks on the upper jaw,  potentially resulting in dental crossbite

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Our team is trained and experienced in the design and application of Neonatal ALF appliances. We begin by taking an impression of your baby’s jaw, make necessary modifications, and then provide the custom ALF after it’s crafted by our trusted dental partners.

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Babies are often intrigued by this appliance, which helps them connect their tongue to their palate indirectly. This connection enables them to exert pressure on the narrow palate arches, satisfying their natural instincts and minimizing the development of undesirable oral habits.