Growth of the dental arches after ablation of the mid-palatal suture. A study in the domestic cat.

The present investigation comprises a group of 18 domestic cats with surgically created, and finally histologically verified, submucous mid-palatal clefts. In addition 18 unoperated control animals were examined, along with 12 sham-operated cats, the latter serving as controls on the effect of the surgical soft tissue trauma applied. Measurements were made in regard to width and length of the dental arches, starting at the age of 2 1/2 months, ending at 12 2/3 months, i.e. throughout both the deciduous and the permanent dentition. Data of existing dimensions and growth were obtained. The statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in final transverse dimensions in the posterior regions of both the upper and the lower dental arches in the deciduous and permanent dentition, in animals where the mid-palatal suture was missing. The soft tissue trauma did not seem to interfere significantly with normal growth.