Correlation between Facial Morphology and Esthetics in Patients with Repaired Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there were correlations between anthropometric nasolabial measurements and subjective assessments of nasal esthetics in individuals with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP). Participants: The sample consisted of 28 individuals with repaired CUCLP and 20 age- and gender-matched individuals without clefts. Outcome Measures: Nasolabial morphology was assessed using 2D and 3D measurements made on frontal photographs, lateral cephalometric radiographs, and plaster nose casts. A panel of orthodontists rated nasal esthetics from frontal, lateral, three-quarter, and basal view photographs and plaster nose casts using visual analog scales, and they also order ranked the nose casts. Based on the nasal esthetics ratings and rankings, two groups that had the best and the worst esthetics representing the extremes of nasolabial esthetics were statistically identified. Measurements were compared between the cleft and noncleft and the best and worst groups using t tests and analysis of variance. Results: Differences in anthropometric measurements between the groups were identified. The columellar width and nose base and nasolabial angles significantly differed between the best and worst groups (p < .05). Differences in panel ratings of nasolabial esthetics between the best and worst groups were statistically detected using lateral and three-quarter view photographs (p < .05). Conclusions: Although morphologic differences between the cleft and noncleft and between the best and worst groups were identified, the slight morphologic differences noted were not sufficient to explain the subjective esthetic evaluation by the panel.