Three-dimensional comparison between the palatal forms in infants with complete unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate (UCLP) with and without Hotz's plate.

A three-dimensional measuring system was developed to analyze changes in palatal forms of UCLP infants. This system quantified the change of the curved surface on a palate by automatically superimposing two wireframe models obtained from casts at different stages of growth. It also analyzed the curvature of the palatal surface. This system was used to study the palates of 20 infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), from the first to fourth months after birth (12 with Hotz's plate and 8 without, selected at random). Both major and lesser maxillary segments without Hotz's plate remained anterior and lateral although those with Hotz's plate moved mesially during the fourth month after birth. In addition, the degrees of curvature on the palatal surfaces with Hotz's plate were less than those without Hotz's plate.