Dental Arch Parameters and Goslon Scores in Mixed Dentition of Egyptian Children with Surgically Repaired Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

Introduction: Various forms of malocclusion are usually encountered in non-syndromic cleft lip and palate, mostly affecting maxillary dental arch. Objective: To assess the dental arch parameters in surgically treated unilateral cleft lip and palate Egyptian children with mixed dentition and compare them with those of comparable healthy non-cleft children. Material and Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study design was used. Twenty-six non-syndromic children with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), aged 6-9 years, were compared to twenty-six healthy non-cleft children (control group) recruited from Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University. Both groups were divided into two age groups; 6-7 years and 8-9 years. For each subject, dental arch parameters were measured using dental study models. 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 than in non-cleft children. Mean mandibular arch dimensions of UCLP children did not differ significantly from those of non-cleft children. The mean Goslon Yardstick score was 3. Conclusion: Children with UCLP, aged 6-9 year old, had significant reduction in mean maxillary arch dimensions compared to healthy matching non-cleft children except for inter-molar arch width which showed no significant reduction. The average dental arch relationship in surgically-repaired UCLP children was fair according to Goslon Yardstick index.