A cephalometric study of the effects of primary osteoplasty in unilateral cleft lip and palate individuals.

Nine Caucasians with unilateral clefts of the lip and palate, treated with primary bone graft of the alveolus, were compared cephalometrically to a similar number of cases treated with soft tissue surgery but no primary osteoplasty. There were no significant differences between the two groups, except for the following: 1. The mandibular apical base was positioned more posteriorly in the bone-grafted group. 2. The ramal inclination angle was significantly smaller in the bone-grafted group. 3. The absolute depth of the mandible was significantly smaller in the bone-grafted group. Generally speaking, although these individuals were characterized by retrognathic faces, there was no significant difference in the anteroposterior and vertical growth of the middle face in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate treated with the two different approaches. In contrast, there were significant differences between the two groups in mandibular depth and position, with mandibles in the bone-grafted group being shorter and more distally positioned. Maintenance of harmonious relationships of the dental bases was, however, achieved.