Maxilla dimension in patients with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate. Changes from birth until palate surgery at age three.

This study traces the changes in maxillary dimension in 44 unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients and 28 bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) patients from birth up to the time of palate surgery at age 3. Measurements on dental casts were carried out at 4 defined registration stages. The results revealed a continuous reduction in cleft dimension parallel to an increase in the transversal and sagittal maxillary dimensions. The inclination of the palatal slope displayed such a high degree of variability that no statement regarding the development in this variable could be made. Differences between the 2 types of cleft patients were found only in the maxillary sagittal dimension. Wearing an orthopedic plate after surgery appears to prevent transversal collapse in the anterior region and to counteract external transversal and sagittal forces. Only temporary inhibition of growth in the sagittal dimension of the maxilla was observed after lip surgery.