Effects of cheiloplasty on maxillary dental arch development in infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate

To identify and analyze quantitatively the development of the maxillary dental arch before and after cheiloplasty. Prospective, longitudinal study of maxillary dental arch development at age of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. All patients were treated at a university hospital craniofacial center. Twenty-seven infants with nonsyndromic, unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. Millard's rotation-advancement cheiloplasty was performed between the ages of 3 and 4 months. 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. Cheiloplasty could mold the anterior portion of the maxillary dental arch palatally by exerting continuous pressure.