Effects of Cheiloplasty on Maxillary Dental Arch Development in Infants With Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate

OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze quantitatively the development of the maxillary dental arch before and after cheiloplasty. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal study of maxillary dental arch development at age of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. SETTING: All patients were treated at a university hospital craniofacial center. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven infants with nonsyndromic, unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. INTERVENTION: Millard's rotation-advancement cheiloplasty was performed between the ages of 3 and 4 months. RESULTS: The anterior portion of the nonclefted segment (I-G), anterior ridge length of the nonclefted segment (I-C), and anterior ridge length of the clefted segment (L-C') continuously increased from 1 to 12 months of age. The anterior cleft width (G-L), anterior arch depth (I perpendicular to CC'), anterior basal angle (angle GC-CC'), and anterior arch curature angle (angle GIC) continuously decreased after the cheiloplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Cheiloplasty could mold the anterior portion of the maxillary dental arch palatally by exerting continuous pressure.