Simonart's band and facial growth in unilateral clefts of the lip and palate

A cephalometric analysis was carried out to see if the presence of a Simonart's band at birth was associated with a detectable difference in subsequent craniofacial form. Mixed longitudinal data from 5 through 18 years of age was analyzed for 257 individuals with complete UCLP included in the Oslo CLP Growth Archive, 80 with a Simonart's band and 177 without. No major differences were detected between individuals with or without Simonart's band, though the presence of a Simonart's band was associated with a larger cranial base angle and a slightly more favorable maxillomandibular relationship. The findings are discussed in relation to embryogenesis, primary surgery, and secondary surgery. It is recommended that cephalometric studies of UCLP involving group comparisons should avoid major imbalance with respect to the proportion of individuals with a Simonart's band at birth.     

Maxillary dental anomalies in children with cleft lip and palate: a controlled study

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 442–450 Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of dental abnormalities of the primary and permanent maxillary dentitions in children affected by unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft of the lip and palate. Methods. One hundred and fifty‐six Caucasian patients (64 females and 92 males) affected by non‐syndromic UCLP or BLCP were selected. A control sample of 1000 subjects (482 males and 518 females) without CLP was selected. All comparisons were carried out by means of z‐tests on proportions. Results. The prevalence rate for missing primary lateral incisors in UCLP subjects was 8.1% and it was 27.9% for the permanent lateral incisors. In BLCP subjects, the prevalence rates were 17% for the primary lateral incisors and 60% for the permanent lateral incisors. The second premolar was absent in 5.4% of UCLP subjects and in 8.8% in the BCLP sample. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences for the prevalence rates of all dental anomalies compared with the control group except for second premolar agenesis. Conclusions. In both UCLP and BCLP subjects the most prevalent missing teeth were the lateral incisors. The dental anomalies occurred predominantly in the cleft area, thus suggesting that the effect of the cleft disturbance is more local than general on the dentition.     

Early detection of differences in surgical outcome for cleft lip and palate.

Abstract

This study examined the dento-alveolar relationships of 5-year-old children born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate with primary surgical repair performed in one of two centres (Bristol or Oslo). The Bristol sample comprised 46 sets of study models and the Oslo CLP Growth Archive provided 54 cases with a very similar sex distribution. We used a recently developed 5-year-old index to measure differences in outcome between the two centres. The Oslo sample were assessed as having up to 57 per cent in the ideal groupings (1 and 2), in the Bristol group this was only 35 per cent. Bristol had up to 46 per cent of cases assessed in the worst groups (4 and 5). The comparative figure from the Oslo group was 15 per cent. These results suggest that it is possible to detect differences in surgical outcome at 5 years of age.     

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.     

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.     

Midfacial morphology in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate treated by different surgical protocols

The purpose of this study was to compare cranio-facial, particularly midfacial morphology, in two groups of children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) treated at two different cleft centres (Hannover. Germany and Brussels, Belgium) following different surgical treatment protocols. A total of 62 children (40 males; 22 females) with non-syndromic UCLP were included in this study at approximately the age of 10. The Hannover group comprised 36 children, who had repair of the lip at a mean age of 5.83 +/- 1.16 months, followed by repair of the hard and soft palate at a mean age of 29.08 +/- 4.68 and 32.25 +/- 4.29 months. respectively. The Brussels group consisted of 26 children who underwent surgical treatment according to the Malek protocol: the soft palate was closed at a mean age of 3.04 +/- 0.20 months, followed by simultaneous repair of the lip and hard palate at a mean age of 6.15 +/- 0.68 months. Midfacial morphology was evaluated by means of cephalometric analysis according to Ross. The children in the Hannover UCLP group did not differ significantly from those in the Brussels group in the anteroposterior dimension of the midface. However, the maxillary plane was significantly more open in the Brussels group due to less posterior vertical maxillary development.     

The basis for presurgical orthopedic treatment of infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the posttreatment morphology of the upper part of the oral cavity of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients and to compare it to noncleft contemporaries. Patients were treated according to a protocol designed to keep a proper resting posture of the oral cavity. DESIGN: Retrospective study on dental casts. SETTING: The study was performed at a maxillofacial center serving a population of 2 million inhabitants. Data for noncleft subjects are the result of a longitudinal study at the same institution. PATIENTS: Twenty-one Caucasian UCLP patients (13 males, 8 females) aged 5 to 9 years with no other congenital anomalies and no postoperative orthodontic treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Each patient received 5 to 6 months of preoperative orthopedics with a passive plate and external nonelastic strapping with definitive lip repair at age 5 to 7 months, soft palate repair at 11 to 15 months, and hard palate repair with mucoperiosteal closure of the alveolus at 30 to 36 months. Each patient was compared to the mean values obtained from a longitudinal study of a group of 25 healthy noncleft children of the same ethnic group (11 males, 14 females). RESULTS: Analysis of dental casts indicated that 16 patients had a width, depth, and length of the alveolar arch in the range of the mean normal values minus two standard deviations. Their analyzed palates were flatter than normal. Six of 21 children had too small an alveolar arch for their ages, and they did not acquire a correct posture of the oral cavity. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the upper part of the oral cavity of UCLP patients can reach the dimensions of noncleft contemporaries despite surgery.     

Temporomandibular disorders in adults with repaired cleft lip and palate: a comparison with controls

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and assess psycho-social distress in adult subjects with repaired complete cleft lip and palate (CLP). Sixty-three adults (42 males and 21 females, mean age 24.2 years, range 19.5-29.2) with repaired CLP (CLP group) were compared with a group of 66 adults without cleft (non-cleft group, 49 males and 17 females, mean age 25.5 years, range 20.2-29.9). All subjects underwent a clinical TMD examination, which followed the guidelines in the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD). Jaw function was assessed by evaluating answers to the mandibular function impairment questionnaire (MFIQ). Tension-type headache was diagnosed according to the International Headache Society (IHS) classification. Psychological status was assessed using the depression score and the non-specific physical symptom score with subscales of the Revised Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R). The prevalence of reported pain in the face, jaws and/or TMJs was 14 and 9 per cent for the CLP and non-cleft group, respectively, and did not differ significantly between the groups. The CLP group exhibited a significantly reduced jaw-opening pattern (P < 0.001) and a higher frequency of crossbites (P < 0.05) compared with the non-cleft group. Whilst jaw function was similar in both groups, a few items, e.g. speech and drinking, were significantly more impaired (P < 0.01) in the CLP group than in the non-cleft group. There were no significant differences between the two groups concerning tension-type headache or psycho-social distress. The study found that overall TMD pain or psycho-social distress was not more common in this CLP group than in a non-cleft group.     

Extraoral traction to the maxilla with face mask: a follow-up of 17 consecutively treated patients with and without cleft lip and palate

Lateral cephalometric films of seven cleft palate (CP) or unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and ten nonCLP patients were obtained immediately before extraoral traction with face mask, immediately after, and at 6 months follow-up. The mean age at start of treatment was 7 years for the CLP patients and 11 years for the nonCLP patients. The average duration of traction was 8 months in both groups. The traction force was gradually increased from 300 to 800 g on each side. Five angular measurements were defined and recorded. The mean net effect in anterior displacement of the maxilla in the CLP group was +0.2 degrees (range +2.5 degrees to -2.5 degrees) and in the nonCLP group +1.0 degree (range +2.5 degrees to -1.0 degree). The orthopaedic effect of extraoral traction to the maxilla was found to be independent of skeletal morphology, age, peak height velocity (PHV), and duration of traction, and thus to be unpredictable. Normal overjet was obtained in most patients, because of a combination of anterior displacement of the maxilla, posterior displacement of the mandible, tipping of the incisors, and a possible anterior sliding of the maxillary dental arch on its base.     

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.     

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.     

Upper airway features of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients in different growth stages

Objectives:To compare growth-related changes of skeletal and upper airway features of unilateral cleft lip and palate subjects (UCLP) with non-cleft control (NCC) subjects by using lateral cephalograms.Materials and Methods:The sample comprised 238 subjects, collected cross-sectionally, divided into 2 groups: 94 with UCLP, and 144 NCC, subdivided into 4 groups according to their growth stages by using cervical vertebral maturation stage (CVMS). The subgroups were defined as early childhood (stage 1), prepubertal (stage 2: CVMS I and II), pubertal (stage 3: CVMS III and IV), and postpubertal (stage 4: CVMS V and VI).Results:The maxilla was more retrognathic at stages 2, 3, and 4 in females with UCLP. The mandible was more retrognathic in UCLP at stage 1 in males, and stages 2 and 3 in females. ANB (angle between NA plane and NB plane) was significantly smaller in UCLP subjects at stage 4 for both sexes. A vertical growth pattern was seen in UCLP subjects except males at stages 2 and 3, and females at stage 2. Posterior airway space was significantly narrower at all stages in males and after stage 1 in females. Middle airway space was significantly wider at all stages in females and after stage 1 in males. Epiglottic airway space was significantly narrower in males at stage 3.Conclusions:Age- and sex-dependent differences in skeletal morphology and upper-airway widths of the UCLP subjects were identified when compared with controls.     

A comparison of craniofacial form in Northern Irish children with unilateral cleft lip and palate treated with different primary surgical techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The quality of outcomes in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) was compared between two senior plastic surgeons. One surgeon carried out a one-stage Wardill-Kilner palate repair. The other surgeon employed a vomer flap hard palate repair followed by a von Langenbeck soft palate closure (Oslo protocol). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. PATIENTS: Thirty-four children (mean age 9.7 years) born with complete skeletal UCLP in Northern Ireland from 1983 to 1991 who received primary repair surgery from one of the two surgeons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cephalometric analysis was used to determine the craniofacial form and soft tissue profile. The quality of the dental arch relationships was independently assessed using the Goslon ranking system. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of the 34 subjects had good or satisfactory arch relationships. Comparison between the surgeons revealed that the Wardill-Kilner group had a greater proportion of Goslon grades of greater than 3, indicating poor arch relationships. However, this difference failed to reach statistical significance. There were no significant cephalometric differences between patients treated by the two surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Although the difference was not statistically significant, the highest proportion of patients likely to require orthognathic surgery was found in those treated using the Wardill-Kilner technique.     

The effect of Delaire cheilorhinoplasty on midfacial growth in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the Delaire surgical technique on the midfacial morphology in a group of subjects with a congenital unilateral cleft of lip and palate (UCLP), prior to orthodontic treatment. Thirty-five UCLP (15 left and 20 right) patients (16 males and 19 females, mean age 7.03+/-0.9 years; age range 8.7-5.0 years), treated for the correction of congenital malformation, were retrospectively selected. Analysis of midfacial growth was undertaken on lateral cephalograms, and the data were compared with reference values (Ricketts analysis). A Mann-Whitney ranked sum test was used to detect significant differences between the findings and reference values. P 相似文献   

The prevalence of anomalies of the upper cervical vertebrae in subjects with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of cervical vertebral anomalies in individuals with cleft palate only (CPO) and bilateral (BCLP) and unilateral (UCLP) complete cleft lip and palate and make a comparison with a group without cleft. SETTING: This retrospective comparison was performed at the Dental Unit, Department of Plastic Surgery, National Hospital and at the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six hundred eleven subjects (334 boys, 277 girls) with three different cleft subtypes at age 6 years or older and 264 children (121 boys, 143 girls) without clefts were included in this study. Their lateral cephalometric radiographs were studied for cervical vertebral anomalies and categorized into posterior arch deficiencies or fusions. RESULTS: In the total cleft sample, 111 subjects (18.2%) had cervical vertebral anomalies; of these, 10 subjects had more than one anomaly. Posterior arch deficiency was found in 7.7% and fusions in 12.1%. In the sample without cleft, 9.1% had cervical vertebral anomalies, 5% posterior arch deficiency, and 4.1% fusions. When the cleft sample was divided into the three cleft subtypes, the prevalence of cervical vertebral anomalies was 25.6% in the CPO group, 16.3% in the BCLP group, and 11.1% in the UCLP group. Differences were statistically significant between the CPO and the group without cleft for both posterior arch deficiency and fusion anomalies (p <.01). CONCLUSION: Cervical vertebral anomalies occur more frequently in individuals with clefts as compared with those without clefts. This was statistically significant for the CPO group.     

上颌窦窦底高度增龄性变化的研究

目的测量随年龄增长而变化的上颌窦窦底的高度,探讨其变化规律。方法从7-11岁（1组）、13岁（Ⅱ组）、27-31岁（Ⅲ组）、47-51岁（Ⅳ组）及67-71岁（V组）五个年龄段中随机选择250份全颌曲面断层片,每组50张,男女各25张。以硬腭为参照,用曲面断层射线机自配的Planmeca Dimaxis Pro软件中的电子尺,测量上颌窦窦底至硬腭的距离,所得数值在每个年龄组内进行男女间比较,在五组间行两两组间比较。结果Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组组内男女间比较有显著性差异（P〈0.05）,13岁组中女性的上颌窦窦底至硬腭的平均距离大于男性,27-31岁组中女性的此平均距离小于男性,差异具有显著性。I组与其他各组及Ⅱ组与Ⅲ组组间比较有显著性差异（P〈0.05）,即7-11岁组的上颌窦窦底至硬腭的平均距离明显小于其他各年龄组,13岁组此平均距离明显小于27-31岁组。结论在生长发育阶段,上颌窦窦底位置随年龄增长不断下降,在成人阶段,此位置未见明显变化。儿童在7-11岁时,上颌窦窦底位于硬腭之下,两者间距为2.81mm。在生长发育期,女性的上颌窦窦底低于同龄男性。     

Adult patients with treated complete cleft lip and palate. Methodological and clinical studies

The purpose of the present thesis was to investigate the quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, prevalence of temporomandibular disorders, psychosocial distress, and occlusal stability in a treated group of adults with complete cleft lip and palate (CLP). Sixty-eight adults (44 men and 24 women) with a mean age of 24.2 years (range 19.5-29.2) with treated CLP were compared with a gender- and age-matched group with no clefts. The CLP subjects were born between 1968 and 1977 and had undergone standardised plastic surgery at the Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital, Link?ping, Sweden. Logopaedic, phoniatric, otological, and orthodontic examinations and treatment had been provided locally, supervised by the Cleft Plate Team. The subjects answered a multidimensional, self-report, standardised questionnaire regarding psychological and somatic conditions. The subjects underwent a clinical TMD examination and an evaluation of the occlusion. The reliability of the multidimensional questionnaire was analysed for the CLP group by a test-retest study within a 2-3 week interval and most questions showed an overall good reliability. A panel of professionals judged the outcome of the surgical treatment on colour slides of the CLP subjects. The dental plaster casts of 39 subjects born with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were analysed (mean age 24.7 years, range 20.2-29.3) and compared with the dental plaster casts taken at mean age of 19.1 years (range 16.0-20.6). The overall level of quality of life was rather high in both groups. The CLP group rated some detached aspects, such as life meaning, family life, and private economy, significantly lower than did the group without clefts. Overall aspects such as well-being and social life were affected by having a treated cleft but not the more practical and tangible aspects of their daily living. There was an overall high level of satisfaction with all the different part of the body in both groups, but the CLP group reported significantly more dissatisfaction with their nose, lips, mouth, profile, and overall facial appearance than the group without clefts. The professionals and the subjects with CLP were generally not very satisfied with the results of surgical treatment. Thirty of the subjects with CLP (47%) wished to have more operations. The professional group recommended further operations in 38 of the subjects (59%) in particular, rhinoplasties. The CLP group had significantly higher frequencies of cross-bite than the group without clefts, but no differences regarding TMD pain were found between the two groups. In the subjects with treated UCLP, there was a significant deterioration in the occlusal score and the maxillary arch dimensions between 19 and 25 years. This was irrespective of the type of retention. The persisting morphological malocclusion with a low frequency of interferences has had no influence on TMD symptoms in the group of CLP patients studied. The conclusion is that the CLP subjects in the present study seemed to be psychosocially well adjusted to their disability. However, 47 per cent wished to have further surgical treatment. The persisting malocclusions did not provoke TMD symptoms.     

Habilitation of patients with clefts: parent and child ratings of satisfaction with appearance and speech.

This study examined ratings regarding satisfaction with facial appearance and speech performance from 495 parent-child pairs. Data were obtained from school-aged children (5-18 years old) and their parents using standardized independent interviews. Results revealed that 54 percent of the children with cleft lip (CL) or cleft lip and palate (CLP) were very pleased with their appearance, and 62 percent of the cleft palate or CLP subjects were very pleased with speech. Low, but statistically significant correlations exist between the female subjects and their parents in satisfaction with appearance. Although older cleft lip and/or palate patients reported increased satisfaction with speech, no age differences in patient satisfaction with appearance were observed in subjects with CL/CLP. Parents of females expressed more concern about their daughters' appearance than parents of males, while parents of males were more concerned about speech. Implications for craniofacial habilitation teams and research suggestions are discussed.