Dental arch dimensions in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

In this investigation, dental arch dimensions during different ages were studied in 72 children with unilateral cleft of the lip, alveolar process, and palate and were compared with those of normal children. All the children with clefts were treated surgically by surgeons of the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic. The dental arch dimensions were studied with the use of dental casts during the time of full deciduous dentition (3 to 4 years of age), mixed dentition (8 to 9 years of age), and permanent dentition (12 years of age). The major findings were: (1) all maxillary interdental widths and lengths were significantly smaller than the normal dimensions at all ages, except for intermolar width at age 12 years; and (2) the mandibular arch dimensions seemed to be related to changes in the maxillary arch; however, the influence of surgical procedures in the maxillary arch is not reflected severely in mandibular arch dental position.