Effect of cleft lip and palate on mandibular condylar volume and dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effect of cleft lip and palate (CLP) on mandibular condylar volume and dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on the head and neck, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) CBCT scans of 18 patients with unilateral CLP (UCLP) and 18 non-cleft controls with class I occlusion. The mediolateral and anteroposterior dimensions and height and volume of the right and left condyles were measured by the ITK-SNAP software. Comparisons were made by one-way ANOVA and paired sample t-test (alpha = 0.05).Results The mediolateral dimension of the condyle of the affected side in UCLP patients was significantly smaller than the right and left condyles in healthy controls (mean difference of 2.33 mm, P = 0.002). This value at the unaffected side of UCLP patients was also significantly smaller than the right and left condyles in healthy controls (mean difference of 2.05, P = 0.005). Anteroposterior dimension, and condylar height and volume at the affected and unaffected sides of UCLP patients were not significantly different within group, or when compared with healthy controls (P > 0.05).Conclusions Only the mediolateral width of the condyle at both sides in UCLP patients was significantly smaller than the values in the right and left condyles of non-cleft controls.