A Study of Patients with Angle Class I Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (UCLP) Using Lateral Roentgenographic Cephalograms: A Comparison between Anterior Cross-Bite UCLP Patients and Anterior Cross-Bite Non-UCLP, Normal Bite UCLP or Normal Bite Non-UCLP Patients

In our previous study carried out in 1994, we found 49 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) among 51 patients with cleft lip and palate who visited the Department of Orthodontics, Nihon University Dental Hospital at Matsudo. In particular, patients with cross-bite (anterior crossbite) UCLP were predominant, accounting for 21 individuals (41%). In the present study, we reviewed 79 patients with malocclusion including 21 with anterior crossbite UCLP, who represent the largest subpopulation among patients with cleft lip and palate. These 21 patients were compared with other UCLP patients showing normal bite with regard to morphological differences evident in lateral roentgenographic cephalograms, to establish a proper policy of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment of their condition. The anterior cross-bite UCLP group showed differences in the skeletal pattern and the denture to skeletal pattern from the other patient groups except for the mesio-distal relationship. The anterior cross-bite UCLP group had cross-bite of the concave type, while the normal bite UCLP group had malocclusion of the convex type accompanied by maxillary overdevelopment. Thus, it is suggested that normalization of reversed occlusion leads to favorable growth of the upper jaw in UCLP patients with anterior cross-bite.