The short-term treatment effects of face mask therapy in Class III patients based on the anchorage device

Abstract Objective: To compare the short-term treatment effects of face mask therapy with miniplates (FM-MP) and face mask therapy with rapid maxillary expansion appliance (FM-RME) in growing Class III malocclusion patients with maxillary hypoplasia. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients were allocated into two groups according to the anchorage device: FM-MP group (n = 10; mean age = 11.2 ± 1.2?years; miniplates in the zygomatic buttress area) and FM-RME group (n = 10; mean age = 10.7 ± 1.3?years; bonded or banded RME). The face mask was applied for 12 to 14?hours/day in both groups with a force of 400?g/side directed 30° downward and forward from the occlusal plane. Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T1) and after FM-MP or FM-RME therapy (T2). Skeletodental and soft-tissue variables were measured. Paired and independent t-tests were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Both groups exhibited significant forward movement of point A and posterior repositioning and opening rotation of the mandible from T2 to T1. The FM-MP group showed significant protraction of orbitale (ΔSNO), and the FM-RME group showed a decrease in overbite and an increase in Bj?rk sum. Comparing the amount of changes between the two groups, the FM-MP group displayed greater forward movement of the maxilla than the FM-RME group (ΔSNA, ΔA to N perp, all P < .05). However, the FM-RME group exhibited a greater opening rotation of the mandible (ΔSNB, Bj?rk sum, all P < .01; ΔPog to N-perp, P < .05) and labioversion of the maxillary incisors (ΔU1-FH, P < .05). Conclusion: FM-MP therapy induces a greater advancement of the maxilla, less posterior repositioning and opening rotation of the mandible, and less proclination of the maxillary incisors than FM-RME therapy.     

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.     

前方牵引治疗唇腭裂术后与非唇腭裂前牙反(牙合)疗效的比较

目的探讨生长发育高峰前期单侧完全性唇腭裂(UCLP)术后前牙反与非唇腭裂前牙反患者对前方牵引治疗反应的异同,以利于UCLP前牙反的治疗。方法进行前瞻性临床研究设计,UCLP术后前牙反患者18例,年龄(9·6±1·2)岁;非唇腭裂前牙反患者18例,年龄(9·8±1·4)岁,均处于生长发育高峰前期。使用前方牵引进行治疗,治疗前后拍头颅侧位片并测量,进行成组设计和配对设计t检验。结果前方牵引治疗后UCLP组SNA增加1·45°,A-TFH增加2·19mm,非唇腭裂组SNA增加1·42°,A-TFH增加2·12mm,两组差异无统计学意义(P>0·05)。UCLP组SNB减小2·18°,ANB增加3·64°,MP/SN增加2·78°,LL-EP增加0·88mm;非唇腭裂组SNB减小1·32°,ANB增加2·68°,MP/SN增加1·47°,LL-EP减小1·37mm,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0·05)。结论通过前方牵引治疗,生长发育高峰前期UCLP术后轻中度骨性前牙反患者与非唇腭裂前牙反患者的上下颌骨关系、软组织面型得到改善。两组上颌骨对治疗的反应相似。UCLP组较非唇腭裂组颌间关系改变大,下颌向后向下旋转多;UCLP组患者治疗后下唇变化不如非唇腭裂组明显。     

Skeletal stability of Le Fort I osteotomy in patients with isolated cleft palate and bilateral cleft lip and palate

The skeletal stability of Le Fort I osteotomy was evaluated retrospectively in 14 patients with isolated cleft palate (CP, mean age 27.2 years) and 11 patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP, mean age 23.7 years). The osteotomy was fixed with titanium plates and the osteotomy gap was grafted with autologous bone. Neither intermaxillary fixation nor occlusal splints were used postoperatively. Skeletal stability was analysed both horizontally and vertically by cephalograms taken shortly before operation, immediately afterwards, and at six months and at one year postoperatively. In the CP group the mean maxillary horizontal advancement (point A) was 4.7 mm (range 0.3-7.8) and the mean vertical lengthening 3.6 mm (range 0.7-6.1). One year postoperatively the mean relapse was 8.5% (0.4 mm) horizontally and 16.7% (0.6 mm) vertically. In the BCLP group the mean horizontal advancement was 5.3 mm (range 0.2-10.7) and the mean vertical lengthening 7.3 mm (range 0.6-11.8). The mean postoperative relapse was 9.4% (0.5 mm) horizontally and 17.8% (1.3 mm) vertically. The skeletal stability and relapse were similar in both cleft types although BCLP patients had more residual cleft problems and their mean surgical advancement was greater. There was great individual variation.     

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.     

Bone-anchored maxillary protraction in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate:: Is maxillary expansion mandatory?

ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and whether it was enhanced when preceded by maxillary expansion.Materials and MethodsThe sample consisted of 28 growing children (9–13 years old) with UCLP and Class III malocclusion. They were divided into two equal groups. In group I, patients were treated with BAMP not preceded by maxillary expansion. In group II, patients were treated with BAMP preceded by maxillary expansion. To assess treatment changes in three dimensions, Cone-beam computed tomography images were taken 1 week after surgical placement of the miniplates (T1) and after 9 months of treatment (T2).ResultsBAMP produced forward movement of the maxilla in both groups (3.17 mm) and (3.37 mm) respectively, without significant differences between the two groups except for clockwise rotation of the palatal plane in group I (1.6⁰).ConclusionsBAMP is an effective treatment modality for correcting midface deficiency in patients with UCLP whether or not maxillary expansion was carried out.     

Three-dimensional Evaluation of Mandibular Volume in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate During the Deciduous Dentition Period

ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between mandibular volume and craniofacial morphology in patients with cleft lip and palate using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to compare these findings with control (noncleft) patients undergoing CBCT for other purposes during the deciduous dentition period.Materials and MethodsEighty-four patients were categorized into the unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA) group (n = 25; mean age, 4.60 ± 0.40 years), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) group (n = 23; mean age, 4.52 ± 0.39 years), bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) group (n = 22; mean age, 4.54 ± 0.37 years), and control group without cleft (n = 14; mean age, 5.19 ± 0.52 years). Mandibular volume and craniofacial cephalometric measurements were obtained using CBCT. All measurements were assessed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using Bonferroni post hoc pairwise comparison tests.ResultsANCOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in mandibular volume among the groups. SNA° and ANB° were significantly larger in the UCLA and BCLP groups than in the control group. SN-MP° was smallest in the UCLA group. Co-A in the UCLP group was shorter than in the UCLA and BCLP groups. Go-Gn was shortest in the UCLP and BCLP groups compared with the control group.ConclusionsThree-dimensional evaluation of craniofacial morphology using CBCT can provide valuable information on malocclusion and other dentoskeletal problems among patients with CLP.     

单侧完全性唇腭裂术后反前方牵引治疗对上气道的影响

目的 探讨上颌前方牵引治疗对唇腭裂患者上气道的影响.方法 21名上颌发育不足的唇腭裂术后的单侧完全性唇腭裂（unilateral cleft lip and palate,UCLP）患者进行前方牵引治疗,并于治疗前后拍摄头颅侧位片;21名相同年龄分布的暂时不能进行前方牵引治疗的UCLP患者做为对照,分别于首诊及一年后拍摄头颅侧位片.通过21个项目的头影测量比较两组患者经过治疗或观察后颅面形态与上气道的变化,并探讨变化的影响因素.结果 两组患者治疗前年龄、治疗或观察时间无统计学差异.两组患者治疗前颅面形态与上气道宽度均无统计学差异.前方牵引治疗组患者在治疗后SNA、A-TFH、OJ、A-Pg增大,SNB、P-TFH减小、下颌平面角增大,差异有统计学意义.治疗组患者经过前方牵引上气道鼻咽宽度增大（PNS-Ad1,PNS-Ad2,OAW1）分别为（1.79±0.89）mm,（1.76±0.94）mm和（1.79±0.69）mm而上气道中段和下段宽度变化无统计学意义.未发现患者气道的变化与上下颌骨的变化相关.结论 前方牵引治疗后唇腭裂患者上气道上段宽度增加,前方牵引对唇腭裂患者上气道宽度产生影响.     

Permanent maxillary central incisor and first molar rotations in the mixed dentition in repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and their relationship with absence of teeth in their vicinity

Objectives:To describe qualitatively and quantitatively the directions and magnitudes of rotations of permanent maxillary central incisors and first molars in the mixed dentition in repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and study their associations with absence of teeth in their vicinity.Materials and Methods:Dental casts and orthodontic records taken prior to orthodontic preparation for alveolar bone grafting of 74 children with repaired UCLP (53 male, 21 female; aged 8.9 ± 1.0 years) were studied. Directions and magnitudes of permanent maxillary central incisor and first molar rotations were recorded. Tooth absence was confirmed from longitudinal radiographic records. Incisor and molar rotations were analyzed in relation to the absence of teeth in their vicinity.Results:Distolabial rotation of the permanent maxillary central incisor was noted in 77.14% on the cleft side, while distopalatal rotation was noted in 82.19% on the noncleft side. Incisor rotation was greater when a permanent tooth was present distal to the cleft side central incisor, in the greater segment. The permanent maxillary first molar showed mesiopalatal rotation, which was greater on the cleft side and when there was absence of one or more teeth in the buccal segment.Conclusions:Presence and absence of teeth were associated with the severity of incisor and molar rotations in UCLP. Crowding of anterior teeth in the greater segment was associated with a greater magnitude of rotation of the cleft side permanent central incisor. Absence of one or more buccal segment teeth was associated with greater magnitude of rotation of the molar.     

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。     

A new protocol for maxillary protraction in cleft patients: repetitive weekly protocol of alternate rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions.

OBJECTIVE: It was hypothesized that, through a repetitive weekly protocol of Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansions and Constrictions (Alt-RAMEC), the maxilla in cleft patients could be protracted more effectively than with a single course of rapid maxillary expansion (RME). METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive unilateral cleft lip and palate patients at the age of mixed dentition were included in this prospective clinical study. The rapid maxillary expansion group included the first 16 consecutive patients undergoing 1 week of rapid maxillary expansion (1 mm/day) followed by 5 months, 3 weeks of maxillary protraction. The Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansions and Constrictions group included the next 10 consecutive patients undergoing 9 weeks of Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansions and Constrictions followed by 3 months, 3 weeks of maxillary protraction. Daily activation of the weekly expansion or constriction was 1.0 mm. Two-hinged expanders and intraoral maxillary protraction springs were used in both groups. Treatment results were evaluated cephalometrically. RESULTS: The amount of maxillary anterior displacement by the 2-hinged expander in the Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansions and Constrictions group was 3.0 +/- 0.9 mm at A point, significantly greater than the 1.6 +/- 1.0 mm in the rapid maxillary expansion group. The amount of maxillary advancement with intraoral protraction springs in the Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansions and Constrictions group was 2.9 +/- 1.9 mm at A point, significantly greater than the 0.9 +/- 1.1 mm in the rapid maxillary expansion group. The overall amount of maxillary advancement in the Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansions and Constrictions group was 5.8 +/- 2.3 mm at A point. This result remained stable, without significant relapse after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary protraction using the 2-hinged expander, a repetitive weekly protocol of Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansions and Constrictions, and intraoral protraction springs is most effective, with stable results at 2-year follow-up.     

上颌前牵引联合扩弓对唇腭裂植骨患者上颌骨影响的有限元分析

目的:探讨唇腭裂患者牙槽突裂植骨前、后上颌对前牵引联合扩弓的生物力学变化特点,研究植骨前、后上颌前牵引联合扩弓对唇腭裂颅上颌复合体的影响,为临床上应用前牵引治疗唇腭裂患者上颌发育不足提供理论依据。方法:采用三维有限元方法,在已建立的完全性唇腭裂上颌复合体有限元模型中模拟植骨,用Ansys12.0软件,分别对植骨前后的模型在双侧上颌尖牙牙槽骨处施加与平面成30°的力,大小为5N/侧。同时,在双侧上颌第一前磨牙和第一磨牙上各加载5mm的横向水平位移,模拟临床上上颌前牵引方式以及扩弓器的作用对其进行前牵引联合扩弓,分析其生物力学变化。结果:在相同前牵引力作用下,植骨后,上颌复合体患侧、健侧的位移分布较植骨前均匀。无论是植骨前还是植骨后,在前牵引联合扩弓的作用下,患侧健侧各标志点的位移值较不扩弓时均增大,各骨缝的应力值显著大于前牵引力单独作用下骨缝的应力值。结论:对完全性唇腭裂患者而言,上颌前牵引联合上颌扩弓治疗,有利于获得更好的前牵引效果。若配合植骨术,则可使上颌前牵引矫治力分布趋于均匀。     

上颌前牵引对单侧完全性唇腭裂术后患者软组织侧貌的影响

目的:探讨上颌前牵引对UCLP术后患者软组织侧貌的影响。方法:选用10例生长期UCLP术后患者进行上颌前牵引。采用X线头影测量分析法,对前牵引前后的软组织侧貌变化进行定量分析。结果:前牵引后鼻尖点、鼻底点及上唇最突点明显前移,软组织面型凸度明显增加,治疗前的凹面型侧貌明显改善。结论:上颌前牵引是改正唇腭裂患者颜面畸形的一种有效方法。     

Maxillary protraction effects on anterior crossbites. Repaired unilateral cleft versus noncleft prepubertal boys

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that there is no difference between the effects of maxillary protraction on anterior crossbites in repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and noncleft prepubertal boys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen operated UCLP boys with anterior crossbite (aged 9.54 +/- 1.21 years) were the experimental subjects. Eighteen noncleft boys with similar malocclusion (aged 9.75 +/- 1.46 years) were selected as a control group. A Hyrax appliance and reverse headgear were applied. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken before and after the treatment. Computerized cephalometric analysis and statistics were carried out. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in anterior movement of point A between the two groups (P > .05). ANB increased by 3.82 degrees and A-Pg (FH) increased by 5.89 mm in the UCLP group. ANB increased by 2.68 degrees and A-Pg (FH) increased by 3.66 mm in the noncleft group. The change of sagittal skeletal intermaxillary relationships was significantly larger in the UCLP group than in the noncleft group (P < .05). The change of lower lip in the UCLP group was less than in the noncleft group (P < .05). : The hypothesis is rejected. The changes of sagittal skeletal intermaxillary relationship and mandibular clockwise rotation were larger in the operated UCLP patients than in the noncleft subjects. The amount of the lower lip retrusion was significantly less in the UCLP patients.     

2种前方牵引装置前牵引唇腭裂患者上颌骨的三维有限元分析

目的:建立含微钛板支抗和牙支持式前牵引装置的唇腭裂颅上颌复合体三维有限元模型,探讨其前牵引生物力学效应.方法:选取1例恒牙早期唇腭裂男性志愿者,进行锥形束CT(cone beam CT,CBCT)扫描,构建模型,模拟加力,分析位移变化及应力分布.结果:建立了含微钛板支抗和牙支持式前牵引装置的单、双侧唇腭裂颅上颌复合体三维有限元模型.前牵引时,上牙弓内缩;微钛板支抗模型上颌中上部位移量大于牙支持式模型,后者上颌前部及上尖牙位移量大于前者.微钛板支抗模型应力集中于上颌骨中上部,牙支持式模型的应力集中在上颌尖牙点,且前者应力值及分布范围均大于后者.双侧唇腭裂模型上前牙牙槽嵴处位移小于单侧唇腭裂模型,后者患侧位移和应力分布范围均大于健侧.结论:本研究构建的模型生物力学仿真性好,为唇腭裂上颌骨前牵引治疗的生物力学研究提供了良好的实验载体.微钛板支抗上颌骨前牵引以骨性作用为主,牙支持式上颌骨前牵引以牙性作用为主,前者更有利于效果稳定和侧貌改善.     

Biomechanical evaluation of sagittal maxillary internal distraction osteogenesis in unilateral cleft lip and palate patient and noncleft patients: A three-dimensional finite element analysis

Objective:To compare the pattern and amount of stress and displacement during maxillary sagittal distraction osteogenesis (DO) between a patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and a noncleft patient.Materials and Methods:Three-dimensional finite element models for both skulls were constructed. Displacements of the surface landmarks and stress distributions in the circummaxillary sutures were analyzed after an anterior displacement of 6 mm was loaded to the elements where the inferior plates of the distractor were assumed to be fixed and were below the Le Fort I osteotomy line.Results:In sagittal plane, more forward movement was found on the noncleft side in the UCLP model (−6.401 mm on cleft side and −6.651 mm on noncleft side for the central incisor region). However, similar amounts of forward movement were seen in the control model. In the vertical plane, a clockwise rotation occurred in the UCLP model, whereas a counterclockwise rotation was seen in the control model. The mathematical UCLP model also showed higher stress values on the sutura nasomaxillaris, frontonasalis, and zygomatiomaxillaris on the cleft side than on the normal side.Conclusions:Not only did the sagittal distraction forces produce advancement forces at the intermaxillary sutures, but more stress was also present on the sutura nasomaxillaris, sutura frontonasalis, and sutura zygomaticomaxillaris on the cleft side than on the noncleft side.     

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.     

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.     

Influence of early hard palate closure in unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate on maxillary transverse growth during the first four years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the effects of early primary closure of the hard palate on the anterior and posterior width of the maxillary arch in children with bilateral (BCLP) and unilateral (UCLP) cleft lip and palate during the first 4 years of life. DESIGN: A retrospective, mixed-longitudinal study. SETTING: Cleft Palate Center of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present investigation analyzes longitudinally 42 children with UCLP and 8 children with BCLP between 1996 and 2000 with early simultaneous primary closure of lip and hard palate (4 to 5 months). Palatal arch width was measured on dental casts with a computer-controlled three-dimensional digitizing system, and their growth velocities were calculated from consecutive periods (mean follow-up 39 months). Differences in growth velocities were compared with those of 25 children with UCLP and 15 children with BCLP with delayed closure of hard palate (12 to 14 months). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in terms of anterior and posterior maxillary width between early and delayed closure of hard palate within the first 4 years of life.