An inter-center comparison of dental arch relationships, craniofacial form, and nasolabial esthetics in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate treated with different pre-surgical infant protocols

The purpose of this study was to compare the dental arch relationships nasolabial esthetics, and craniofacial form of mixed dentition patients with complete unilateral CLP originally treated with distinct infant orthopedic (IO) approaches (Latham, modified McNeil, nasoalveolar molding (NAM), and no IO). A total of 138 study models, 180 photographs and 124 cephalograms were assembled from existing records at five different North American cleft centers. Six trained, calibrated judges blindly rated dental arch relationships using the Goslon yardstick, and the nasolabial esthetics using the method of Asher-McDade. The radiographs were analyzed using hard and soft tissue landmarks on Dolphin Imaging software. The most favorable occlusal relationships and skeletal relationships were achieved at the center using no IO (p%%%%M.Sc.