[Preliminary study on the reconstruction and analysis of digital maxillary cast of infants with cleft lip and palate].

OBJECTIVE

To reconstruct a digital maxillary cast of infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP) by laser scanning and to provide an analysis method for the edentulous cast of CLP.

METHODS

Under general anesthesia, an edentulous cast of one infant with right CLP was made and scanned by laser scanner. Using reverse engineering software, this cast surface was reconstructed.

RESULTS

By this method, the digital cast could be observed from each degree and direction, and on this digital cast, the reference landmarks formeasarenment were determined, and the cast was then segmented, measured, and calculated.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3-D analysis developed is an ideal tool for the examination of 3-D morphological changes in the edentulous maxilla of patients with CLP. This newly developed analysis enables a quantification of the extent and direction of morphological changes in the maxilla of infants with CLP.