INTRODUCTION: Non-syndromic cleft lip and palate is a complex trait caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors resulting in various forms of malocclusion mostly affecting maxillary dental arch.
AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the dental arch dimensions in surgically repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate children according to Oslo protocol with those of healthy matching non-cleft children in Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparative cross-sectional study design was used. Thirty-one non-syndromic children with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), aging 4-9 years, and fulfilling the selection criteria together with thirty-one healthy, matched, non-cleft children (control group) were recruited from Faculty of dentistry, Alexandria University. Both groups were divided into three age groups; 4-5 years, 6-7 years and 8-9 years. For each subject, dental arch dimensions were measured from the dental study casts.
RESULTS: Mean maxillary arch depth and inter-canine arch width were significantly smaller in UCLP children than in non-cleft children in the age groups 6-7 and 8-9 years. Mean inter-molar arch width was not significantly narrower in UCLP children from that in non-cleft children. Mean mandibular arch dimensions of UCLP children did not differ significantly from those of non-cleft children.
CONCLUSIONS: Children with UCLP, aging 6-9 years old, revealed significant reduction in mean maxillary arch dimensions when compared to healthy matching non-cleft children except for inter-molar arch width which showed no significant reduction.