Changes of Vertical Skeletal Morphology in Patients with Complete Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

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 T0 and T1. An increase of the anterior height of the mandible is found in the cleft groups.