Analysis of Dental Arch Symmetry of Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Seven-Year Follow-Up

Background: Orofacial cleft is the most common craniofacial deformity, resulting in facial anatomical disorders.

Aim: To evaluate maxillary dental arch symmetry of children with unilateral complete cleft lip, alveolus, and palate before and after primary surgeries.

Design: A total of 27 dental casts were analyzed: (T1) Presurgical; (T2) Postsurgical 1; and (T3) Postsurgical 2. Six linear measurements were analyzed (I-C', I-C, I-T', I-T, C'-T', and C-T). Paired t test, Pearson correlation, and ANOVA, followed by the Tukey test, were conducted (α = 5%).

Results: The asymmetry was confirmed by I-C versus I-C' across all periods and I-T versus I-T' (at T1). The Pearson correlation test showed significant values for Δ1×Δ2 and Δ1×Δ3, but not for Δ2×Δ3. The longitudinal analysis showed that the I-C' mean was greater at T1 than at T2/T3 (p < 0.001). The I-C mean was smaller at T1 than at T2/T3 (p < 0.001). I-T' was greater only at T3 (p < 0.001). I-T, C'-T', and C-T means were greater at all periods.

Conclusion: The maxillary asymmetry of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate is inherent to the cleft type, evidenced by the maxillary hypoplasia in the smaller segment, probably higher in the anterior region (I-C').