Craniofacial morphology characteristics of operated unilateral complete cleft lip and palate patients in mixed dentition.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze craniofacial morphologic characteristics at the stage of mixed dentition in Chinese children who had received surgery for unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) compared with the healthy population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken for 2 groups of individuals: (1) 48 UCCLP patients who had been operated on before 2 years of age, and (2) 60 noncleft peers as controls.

RESULTS: The operated UCCLP groups differed from the control group as follows: reduced cranial base length, less maxillary length, more retrognathic maxilla, retusion of the entire maxilla, more incongruous intermaxillary relation, more concave skeletal profile, and more lingually inclined maxillary and mandibular incisors.

CONCLUSIONS: The operated UCCLP children at the mixed dentition stage showed serious craniofacial deformities and the craniofacial growth was influenced (especially in maxilla).