Three-Dimensional Analysis of Morphological Changes in the Maxilla of Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Three-dimensional (3-D) morphological changes in the maxilla of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) have been recorded, mainly using two-dimensional cast analyses. Although these seem to be insufficient, no standardized 3-D method has been developed until now. In this study, accuracy, precision, and validity of a newly developed 3-D digital computer-aided procedure to visualize and metrically analyze the growth of the edentulous maxilla of infants with CLP have been evaluated. Patients: The method was applied to 10 infants with complete unilateral CLP. Interventions: Consecutive casts of the maxilla (1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months) of each patient were optically measured with a 3-D laser scanner. Following digitizing, the casts were computer reconstructed, aligned, and superimposed using specialized computer software. The distances between the surfaces were measured. Additionally, the surfaces were segmented perpendicular to the alveolar crest, the reference points being C1, C1′, ...