Abstract
Objective:
To identify and analyze quantitatively the development of the maxillary dental arch before and after cheiloplasty.
Design:
Prospective, longitudinal study of maxillary dental arch development at age of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Setting:
All patients were treated at a university hospital craniofacial center.
Patients:
Twenty-seven infants with nonsyndromic, unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.
Intervention:
Millard's rotation-advancement cheiloplasty was performed between the ages of 3 and 4 months.
Results:
The anterior portion of the nonclefted segment (I-G), anterior ridge length of the nonclefted segment (I-C), and anterior ridge length of the clefted segment (L-C′) continuously increased from 1 to 12 months of age. The anterior cleft width (G-L), anterior arch depth (I⊥CC), anterior basal angle (∠GC-CC′), and anterior arch curature angle (∠GIC) continuously decreased after the cheiloplasty.
Conclusions:
Cheiloplasty could mold the anterior portion of the maxillary dental arch palatally by exerting continuous pressure.
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