[3-dimensional recording of changes in the infant jaw with unilateral cheilognathopalatoschisis with special reference to the results of preoperative orthodontic therapy].

The changes of jaws of cleft palate children were examined from birth until after the operative lip closure by the aid of a method of coordinate measurement technique. The examination resulted in a significant reduction of the anterior, medial and posterior cleft width during the preoperative treatment period. The anterior and posterior width of alveolar crest arch remained nearly constant in the examination period. The translation of the anterior poles of the palate segments in the case of the unilateral clefts were more distinct in the transversal direction than in sagittal direction. Values of slope were constant or became little smaller after the orthopedic treatment. After the lip closure we found end-to-end relation resulting from guided growth of the segments having constant arch dimensions. A collapse of the segments could not be observed. Altogether we can say the preoperative orthopedic therapy would give the cleft palate good suppositions for the further development.