Evaluation of mandibular transverse widths in patients affected by unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate using cone beam computed tomography

Objective:To evaluate the mandibular dental, alveolar, and skeletal transversal widths in patients affected by unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate and to compare the findings with a well-matched normal occlusion sample using cone beam computed tomography images.Materials and Methods:The study sample consisted of 75 patients divided into three groups: the UCLP (29 patients; mean age: 15.40 ± 3.22 years), BCLP (18 patients; mean age: 15.54 ± 3.72 years), and normal occlusion (28 patients; mean age: 15.82 ± 2.11 years) groups. Mandibular dental (intercanine and -molar), alveolar (intercanine and -molar), and skeletal (bigonial width) transversal measurements were performed three-dimensionally and analyzed using the one-way variance analysis and post hoc Tukey tests.Results:Patients affected by UCLP and BCLP had statistically significantly lower intercanine alveolar widths (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively) and larger intermolar (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively) and intermolar alveolar widths (P < .001) compared with the normal occlusion group. Furthermore, the patients affected by UCLP and BCLP had similar mandibular dental, alveolar, and skeletal transversal widths (P > .05).Conclusion:The UCLP and BCLP groups showed statistically significantly smaller values for intercanine alveolar widths and larger values for intermolar dental and alveolar widths compared with the normal occlusion group. This shows the importance of using individualized archwires according to the pretreatment arch widths of the patients affected by UCLP and/or BCLP.     

唇腭裂患者上颌前部牙槽骨厚度及骨开窗、骨开裂的三维评价研究

目的　利用锥形束CT（cone-beam CT,CBCT）评价不同类型唇腭裂患者上颌前部牙槽骨厚度和形态,以及上前牙骨开窗、骨开裂情况。方法　选择016年8月至019年10月间在南京医科大学附属口腔医院就诊拟行口腔正畸治疗的唇腭裂患者85例（男51例,女34例,平均年龄（14.65±4.95）岁）,其中单侧唇裂伴牙槽突裂（unilateral cleft lip and alveolus,UCLA）患者19例,单侧完全性唇腭裂（unilateral complete cleft lip and palate,UCLP）患者5例,双侧完全性唇腭裂（bilateral complete cleft lip and palate,BCLP）患者14例。在正畸治疗开始前均予以拍摄颌面部CBCT,应用Image J软件测量其上前牙唇腭侧牙槽骨厚度（alveolar bone thickness,ABT）,计算骨开窗、骨开裂发生率,并比较不同唇腭裂类型患者上颌前部ABT及上前牙骨开窗、骨开裂发生率的差异。结果　UCLP、UCLA患侧上前牙骨开裂发生率（34.9%、4.9%）显著高于其健侧（10.7%、11.1%）,但骨开窗发生率无统计学差异。UCLP健侧上中切牙（5.9%）、侧切牙（9.7%）骨开裂发生率低于UCLA。UCLA、UCLP、BCLP三组间患侧上前牙骨开裂及骨开窗发生率均无统计学差异。UCLP、UCLA患侧上前牙ABT在多部位小于其健侧。除UCLP/UCLA患侧侧切牙外,UCLA、UCLP、BCLP各类型上前牙唇侧平均ABT均小于腭侧。UCLA、UCLP、BCLP三组间患侧上前牙唇腭侧平均ABT无统计学差异。UCLP患侧上侧切牙、尖牙分别在唇侧和腭侧根颈处ABT大于UCLA。结论　单侧唇腭裂患者患侧上前牙骨开裂发生率高于健侧,ABT则在多部位小于其健侧;而三种类型患者上前牙唇侧ABT均小于其腭侧。单侧唇裂伴牙槽突裂与单侧完全性唇腭裂患者健侧上中切牙、侧切牙骨开裂发生率及患侧侧切牙、尖牙根颈处牙槽骨厚度存在差异;单侧与双侧完全性唇腭裂间上前牙骨开窗、骨开裂发生率及牙槽骨厚度则无差异。     

Changes in soft tissue thickness after Le Fort I osteotomy in different cleft types

The soft tissue thickness before and after Le Fort I osteotomy was evaluated in 46 cleft patients. The sample consisted of 10 patients with isolated cleft palate (CP, mean age 25.5 years); 10 patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP, mean age 21.7 years); and 26 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP, mean age 22.9 years). Patients with bimaxillary surgery, simultaneous rhinoplasty, or V-Y plasty of the upper lip were excluded. Soft tissue changes were analyzed by cephalograms taken shortly before surgery and at 6 months postoperatively. Horizontal advancement varied from 4.1 mm in the UCLP group to 5 mm in the BCLP group. The vertical lengthening varied from 3.7 mm in the CP group to 7.2 mm in the BCLP group. In all cleft types, thinning of the subnasal area, superior labial sulcus, and upper lip (anterior nasal spine-subnasale, point A-soft tissue point A, and prosthion-labrale superius) took place. Significant thinning of the upper lip occurred in the UCLP and BCLP patients. Surgical changes of the lower lip and mandibular area were small and insignificant. There were significant differences in soft tissue thicknesses between different types of clefts. The subnasal area and superior labial sulcus were significantly thicker in the CP group than in the BCLP or UCLP groups, both pre- and postoperatively. The upper lip was thickest in the BCLP group preoperatively but thickest in the CP group postoperatively. The upper lip was thinnest in the UCLP group both before and after the operation.     

Prevalence of intranasal ectopic teeth in children with complete unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ectopic eruption of intranasal teeth. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study, where records of children with repaired cleft lip and palate were analyzed. SETTING: The study was conducted at a large craniofacial center, the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, USP, Bauru, S?o Paulo, Brazil. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 815 records from patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and 1,495 records from patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). The age of the subjects was 5 to 10 years old and the groups included both males and females. RESULTS: The results showed that 0.61% of the children with BCLP and 0.40% of those with UCLP had an intranasal tooth. The prevalence of an intranasal tooth for the whole group was 0.48%, and it appeared to be more common in females.     

Development of the residual cleft in the hard palate after velar repair in a 2-stage palatal repair regimen

Delayed closure of the hard palate is believed to improve maxillary growth and facial appearance in cleft lip and palate patients. However, the cleft opening in the hard palate after velar closure might impair speech development. The aim of this investigation was to study the development of the residual cleft in the hard palate after 2-stage palatal repair (TSPR) in children born with complete cleft lip and palate (bilateral [BCLP]; n=7 or unilateral [UCLP]; n=22) or isolated cleft palate (CP; n=9). Moreover, we aimed to investigate whether any morphologic factors before surgery might predict development of the residual cleft. Dental casts obtained prior to velar repair (mean age 7 months) and postoperatively at 1 1/2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 years were analyzed with a Reflex Microscope regarding the width, length and area of the cleft in the hard palate.The palatal cleft varied in size both pre- and postoperatively in all 3 types of cleft patients. The width of the cleft in the UCLP subgroup showed a marked reduction immediately after velar repair, but then, on average, remained stable until final surgical closure of the hard palate. In the BCLP subgroup the initially rather narrow width of the clefts remained unchanged postoperatively. Clefts in the CP subgroup, especially in those with a complete cleft, remained large after veloplasty. In 4 of the UCLP and 2 of the BCLP patients, the cleft width increased gradually. In some other subjects, both in the UCLP and BCLP subgroups, the residual cleft closed functionally with time, but this development could not be foreseen.     

Retrognathic maxilla in individuals born with oral clefts is due to intrinsic factors and not only due to early surgical treatment

ObjectivesTo determine if the skeletal form of individuals born with oral clefts was associated with maxillary position.Materials and MethodsLateral cephalometric radiographs of 90 individuals 8 to 12 years old born with or without cleft lip and palate paired by age and sex were used. Skull base length, cranial base angle, cranial deflection angle, and maxillary skeletal length and position were studied. Also, mandibular skeletal length and position, lower anterior facial height, and dental position were defined. Individuals were divided into three groups: 30 individuals born with cleft lip and palate with Class III malocclusion (UCLP Class III), 30 individuals born with cleft lip and palate with Class I malocclusion (UCLP Class I), and 30 individuals born without cleft lip and palate with Class III malocclusion (non-cleft Class III).ResultsWhen comparing the UCLP Class III group with the UCLP Class I group, there were differences in maxillary position (P < .001) and mandibular position (P = .004) found. No differences were found when comparing the UCLP Class III group with the non-cleft Class III group.ConclusionsThere are intrinsic factors that affect craniofacial morphology of individuals born with cleft lip and palate.     

Comparison of tooth development stage of the maxillary anterior teeth before and after secondary alveolar bone graft: Unilateral cleft lip and alveolus vs unilateral cleft lip and palate

Objective:To compare the effect of secondary alveolar bone graft (SABG) on the tooth development stage of the maxillary central incisor (MXCI) and maxillary canine (MXC) in terms of the severity of unilateral cleft.Materials and Methods:The subjects consisted of 50 boys with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA) or unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate (UCLP). The age- and sex-matched subjects were divided into group 1 (UCLA, n = 25; 9.3 ± 0.8 years old) and group 2 (UCLP, n = 25; 9.4 ± 0.6 years old). In panoramic radiographs taken 1 month before (T0) and 1 year after SABG (T1), tooth development stage was evaluated according to the Nolla developmental (ND) stage. A panoramic radiograph taken 3 years after SABG was used as a reference for the final root length of individual tooth.Results:In groups 1 and 2, the ND stage of the MXCI did not exhibit differences between the cleft and non-cleft sides at T0 and T1, respectively. However, although the ND stage of the MXC of group 2 was delayed on the cleft side compared with the non-cleft side at T0 (P < .05), the MXC on the cleft side developed faster than that on the non-cleft side after SABG (P < .01). In terms of tooth development speed, group 2 showed a higher rate of faster developed MXCs on the cleft side compared with the non-cleft side after SABG than group 1 (36.0% vs 8.0%, P < .05).Conclusion:SABG performed at approximately 9 years of age might increase tooth development speed of MXC in patients with UCLP compared with patients with UCLA.     

Maxillary lateral incisors of subjects with cleft lip and/or palate: Part 2.

Maxillary lateral incisors on the alveolar cleft were investigated in 431 cleft children registered in the Department of Orthodontics, Kyushu University Dental Hospital. The majority of primary maxillary lateral incisors were located on the distal side of the alveolar cleft in both unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA) and unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) subjects. Permanent teeth in UCLA tend to be located distally, but in UCLP they tend to be congenitally absent (p less than .01). The majority of primary teeth had normal shapes; the majority of permanent teeth were of intermediate type or were missing congenitally. One third of the UCLA and one half of the UCLP subjects who had primary maxillary lateral incisors were not followed by permanent replacements. The location of the majority of permanent maxillary lateral incisors tallied with that of the primary ones except in four UCLA, ten UCLP, and two bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) subjects. Four UCLA and ten UCLP subjects who had primary lateral incisors on the distal side were followed by their permanent successors on the mesial side. Three UCLP and one BCLP subjects had permanent maxillary lateral incisors even though they had no temporary predecessors.     

Evaluation of dehiscence and fenestration in adolescent patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate: A retrospective cone beam computed tomography study

Objective:To evaluate the presence of dehiscence and fenestration defects around anterior teeth in the cleft region and to compare these findings with the noncleft side in the same patients using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and Methods:CBCT scans of 44 patients (26 males, 18 females; mean age, 14.04 ± 3.81 years) with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were assessed to define dehiscences and fenestrations of the anterior teeth in both cleft and noncleft sides of the UCLP patients and a control group of noncleft patients (51 patients; 21 males, 30 females; mean age, 14.52 ± 1.16 years). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s χ² and Student’s t-test.Results:The prevalence of dehiscences at the maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines teeth were 43.2%, 70.6%, and 34.1% on the cleft side and 22.7%, 53.1%, and 27.3% on the noncleft side of UCLP patients, and 13.7%, 7.8%, and 13.7% in controls, respectively (statistically no difference between the sides of cleft patients). The cleft patients had a statistically significantly higher prevalence of dehiscences than did the controls on both the cleft and noncleft sides (P < .05), except for the maxillary central incisors. Fenestrations for these teeth were significantly more common on the cleft side in UCLP patients compared with controls (P < .05), whereas the difference for maxillary lateral incisors was not statistically significant.Conclusions:Patients with UCLP showed a higher prevalence of dehiscence and fenestration defects around the maxillary anterior teeth.     

Initial growth pattern of children with cleft before alveolar bone graft stage according to cleft type: Unilateral cleft lip and alveolus,unilateral cleft lip and palate,and cleft palate

Objective:To test the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in the initial growth pattern among three cleft types before alveolar bone graft (ABG) according to cleft type (unilateral cleft lip and alveolus [UCLA], unilateral cleft lip and palate [UCLP], and cleft palate [CP]).Materials and Methods:Samples consisted of the UCLA group, the UCLP group, and the CP group. Individuals were treated with the identical surgical technique by the same surgeon and had no history of orthodontic/orthopedic treatment. Lateral cephalograms taken 1 month before ABG were analyzed using 29 variables. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) testing and bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed.Results:An increasing tendency for Class III relationships in the order of UCLA, UCLP, and CP was noted (ANB, AB-to-facial plane angle, AB-to-mandibular plane angle; P < .001, respectively). UCLP and CP groups demonstrated more posterior positioning of the maxilla (SNA, A-to-N-perp; P < .001, respectively) and a hyperdivergent pattern (gonial angle, SN-GoMe angle, FMA; P < .001, respectively) compared with the UCLA group. Because no differences in palatal plane angle and SN-to-occlusal plane angle were noted among the three groups, the hyperdivergent pattern in the UCLP and CP groups might be due to an innate growth pattern and eventual adaptation of the mandible to maxillary growth. UCLP and CP groups showed more Class III relationships (ANB: P < .05, P < .001, respectively) and a more hyperdivergent pattern (FMA: P < .05, P < .01, respectively) than the UCLA group.Conclusion:When the degree of cleft involvement increases from the primary palate to the secondary palate, the predominance of the Class III relationship and the hyperdivergent pattern increases also.     

Bite force of children with repaired unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate

ObjectiveTo assess the bite force (BF) of children with repaired cleft lip and palate (CLP).DesignChildren aged 6–12 years, with and without CLP, were divided into the following 5 groups: (1) control group (CON): 34 children without CLP (17 female, 17 male, mean age 8.2 ± 1.4); (2) cleft lip group (CL): 31 children with cleft lip involving the pre-maxilla (15 female, 16 male, mean age 9.7± 1.3); (3) unilateral CLP group (UCLP): 36 children with complete unilateral CLP (11 female, 25 male, mean age 9.4± 1.6); (4) bilateral CLP group (BCLP): 32 children with complete bilateral CLP (11 female, 21 male, mean age 9.5± 1.7); and 5) cleft palate group (CP): 17 children with complete cleft palate (9 female, 8 male, mean age 9.4± 1.6). Briefly, in this clinical trial, BF was assessed before alveolar bone grafting with a gnathodynamometer (IDDK, Kratos, Cotia, SP, Brazil). For CON, BCLP, CL and CP groups, BF was obtained in the anterior and posterior region of the maxilla. For the UCLP group, BF was assessed in the anterior and posterior regions of both segments. Differences among groups were evaluated by ANOVA test, and Tukey’s test was used to assess any correlations among variables (P < 0.05).ResultsUnexpectedly, no differences of BF were observed among CON and any of the cleft groups. However, a stronger BF was observed in the CL group when compared to the UCLP and BCLP groups. Next, no differences were observed between the cleft side and the noncleft side in the UCLP group. Lastly, in all groups, BFs from the anterior region of the maxilla were less when compared to the posterior regions.ConclusionThe BF of children with CLP is no different from children without CLP.     

Nasalance measures in German-speaking cleft patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate nasalance measures in German-speaking patients with different types of repaired cleft lip and palate and to find out if significant nasalance gender differences exist in the different cleft groups. A total of 125 German-speaking cleft patients (74 male and 51 female) were included in this study: 18 patients with isolated unilateral cleft lip (UCL; mean age: 13.00 +/- 2.03 years), 66 patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP; mean age: 14.80 +/- 3.45 years), 25 patients with isolated cleft palate (CP; mean age: 14.60 +/- 3.48 years), and 16 patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP; mean age: 14.30 +/- 3.61 years). Nasalance data were collected and computed using the NasalView hardware/software system (Fa. Tiger Electronics, Seattle, WA). Speech stimuli according to a modified Heidelberg Rhinophonia Assessment Form (sustained vowels "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u"; oral and nasal sentences; and three oral-nasal reading passages) were used to obtain nasalance scores. Nasalance distance and ratio were also calculated for the oral and nasal sentences and for one of the oral-nasal reading passages. Unpaired t tests showed no significant gender nasalance differences in each cleft group. Analysis of variance showed no significant differences in mean nasalance distance and ratio. For the nasal sentence, a significant difference (P = 0.032) in mean nasalance scores was found between the UCL and UCLP groups.     

Nasal airway dimensions of adults with cleft lip and palate: differences among cleft types.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the nasal airway dimensions in adults with repaired cleft lip and palate by rhinomanometry and to analyze the reduction associated with different types of clefts. MODEL: A prospective analysis comparing three types of previously repaired clefts: bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), and isolated cleft palate (CP) at the 5% level of significance. SETTING: Laboratory of Physiology, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of S?o Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three subjects aged 18 to 35 years (17 BCLP, 16 UCLP, 20 CP) and a group of 20 individuals without cleft (N). VARIABLES: Minimum cross-sectional nasal area assessed by posterior (PR) and anterior (AR) rhinomanometry and nasopharyngeal area assessed by modified AR.RESULTS: Mean (+/- 1 SD) nasal areas obtained by PR were: 0.47 +/- 0.16 cm(2) (BCLP), 0.57 +/- 0.19 cm(2) (UCLP), 0.61 +/- 0.13 cm(2) (CP), and 0.60 +/- 0.10 cm(2) (N). The mean value for the BCLP group was significantly smaller than that for the N and CP groups. The remaining values did not differ from one another. The proportion of subjects with subnormal areas obtained by PR was 41%, 19%, and 0% for groups BCLP, UCLP, and CP, respectively. Similar results were obtained by AR. All subjects presented a nasopharyngeal area larger than 0.80 cm(2), denoting absence of obstruction in the nasopharynx. CONCLUSIONS: In adulthood BCLP is the type of cleft associated with a greater reduction of nasal airway, compared with UCLP and CP, suggesting that adults with BCLP are at a greater risk for nasal obstruction.     

Changes of vertical skeletal morphology in patients with complete unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective investigation was to qualify and quantify changes of the vertical skeletal morphology during puberty in cleft patients compared with an age-matched noncleft control. METHODS: Patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP; n = 12) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP; n = 11) who fulfilled strict inclusion criteria according to the Hanover treatment protocol were evaluated by means of cephalometric analysis. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed for each cleft patient at age 10 and 15 and compared with corresponding data of a noncleft control (n = 20). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that a vertical growth impairment of the maxilla is found in patients with cleft lip and palate. The maxilla of cleft patients shows a significant clockwise rotation, whereas the inclination of the mandible shows little difference. Consequently, there is a skeletal superposition of the jaws. The posterior height of the maxilla is significantly shorter in patients both with UCLP and BCLP at T(0) and T(1). An increase of the anterior height of the mandible is found in the cleft groups.     

Long-term results after secondary bone grafting of alveolar clefts

The aim of this study was longitudinally to evaluate the treatment results after secondary bone grafting in 224 cleft patients with an observation period of more than four years. The patients were divided into three groups according to age and eruption stage of the canine at the time of surgery. Group A included 94 patients with a mean age of 10 years, operated before eruption of the canine; group B included 72 patients with a mean age of 13.1 years operated after eruption of the canine; and group C included 58 patients operated after the age of 16 years (mean age, 20.4 years). The evaluation of the treatment results included longitudinal comparison of marginal bone level, periodontal status on cleft-related teeth, dental status in the bone grafted region, esthetical and functional properties of the reconstructed alveolar process, as well as the influence on growth of the maxilla. The marginal bone level was found to be significantly higher among unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) patients in the youngest groups as compared to the other groups. The number of UCLP and BCLP patients who could be treated without bridgework was significantly higher in the youngest age group than in the other groups, as were the esthetic and functional properties of the reconstructed alveolar process. External root resorption occurred in 17 patients in groups B and C. No influence of the procedure on sagittal growth of the maxilla could be demonstrated, whereas the anterior facial height was reduced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Vertical Changes in Patients with Complete Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip, Alveolus and Palate

AIMS AND METHODS: Twelve UCLP and eleven BCLP patients who had been treated according to the Hanover treatment protocol were evaluated by means of cephalometric analysis and cast measurements. The aim of this investigation was to demonstrate changes in the vertical plane and in incisor position in the course of craniofacial growth compared to age-matched non-cleft controls. Lateral cephalograms and casts were analyzed for each cleft patient at age 10 and 15 and compared with corresponding data of a non-cleft control group (n = 20). RESULTS: A vertical growth impairment of the maxilla was registered in patients with cleft lip, alveolus and palate. The maxilla of the cleft patients showed a significant clockwise rotation while the inclination of the mandible remained virtually unchanged. Both upper and lower incisors, which were significantly retruded at the beginning of the late mixed dentition, could be protruded in the course of craniofacial growth, development of the dentition and treatment, but remained retruded in comparison with the non-cleft controls. The posterior midfacial height was highly significantly shorter in both UCLP and BCLP patients at both evaluation timepoints, whereas the anterior lower jaw height was greater than in the control group     

Comparison of the effects of maxillary protraction using facemask and miniplate anchorage between unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate patients

Abstract Objective: To determine the difference in the effects of facemask with miniplate (FM-MP) anchorage on maxillary protraction in growing cleft patients between unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) groups. Materials and Methods: The samples consisted of a UCLP group (N = 15, 13 boys and 2 girls; mean age 10.98?years; mean protraction duration 2.37?years) and a BCLP group (N = 15, all boys; mean age 11.42?years; mean protraction duration 2.36?years), who were treated with the same surgical technique (rotation and advancement flap and double opposing Z-plasty) by one surgeon and with FM-MP by one orthodontist. Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T1) and after FM-MP (T2). Fourteen skeletal and dental variables were measured. Independent and paired t-tests were performed for statistical analysis. Results: There were no differences in mean age and values of variables at the T1 stage and in the duration of protraction between the two groups. The BCLP group showed less advancement of point A than the UCLP group (ΔA-vertical reference plane, 2.51?mm vs 4.06?mm, P < .05; ΔA-N perpendicular, 0.79?mm vs 2.26?mm, P < .05; ΔSNA, 0.45° vs 2.85°, P < .01). Since counterclockwise rotation of the palatal plane in two groups was minimal (-0.36° vs -0.87°), no difference was observed with regard to clockwise rotation of the mandible (0.46° vs -0.07°). There were no differences in the degree of labioversion of the maxillary incisor (8.16° vs 7.10°), linguoversion of the mandibular incisor (-2.66° vs -2.14°), and increase in overjet (5.39?mm vs 5.70?mm) between the two groups. Conclusion: In FM-MP therapy of growing cleft patients under the conditions of this study, the UCLP group shows a more favorable change in maxillary advancement than the BCLP group.     

Maxillary dental arch growth in different types of cleft

A total of 45 subjects, 15 complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), 15 complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), and 15 cleft palate only (CPO) were studied. Measurements of alveolar points on maxillofacial models were taken of each subject at 5 months, 19 months and 4 years of age. The results revealed different types of growth retardation among the cleft groups. A comparison with 10 controls at 4 years of age showed that the dimensions of the three cleft groups were smaller than the controls, especially at the anterior region of the maxilla. These findings suggest that the relation of the nasal septum to the palatal processes may play an important role in the underdevelopment of the maxilla in the cleft lip and palate patients.     

Long-term outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with various types of cleft

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with various types of cleft. DESIGN: One hundred and seventy patients were classified as cleft lip and alveolar process alone (CLAP), complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), and complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). The Bergland criteria were used to assess the long-term outcome of alveolar bone grafting. RESULTS: In the UCLP and BCLP groups, the success rate was significantly better (P<0.05) when the cleft was grafted before the eruption of canines. When the operation was done after the eruption of canines, there was a significant difference in the success rate between CLAP and BCLP (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The timing of the operation was the critical variable that affected the outcome in patients with complete cleft lip and palate. The severity of the deformity influenced the success rate when alveolar bone grafting was done after the eruption of canines.