Comparative study between children with and without cleft lip and cleft palate, part 1: cephalometric analysis.

Abstract Objective: This study was conducted to compare craniofacial relationships, position, and curvature of the cervical spine between children with cleft lip and cleft palate who had been operated on and children without clefts. Method: This study was performed in 28 children with mixed dentition. They were divided into two groups. The study group included 14 children with unilateral operated cleft lip and cleft palate, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years, who clinically presented with a short upper lip, abnormal lip seal, and inhibition of sagittal development of the midface that was radiographically assessed. The control group included 14 children without clefts, ranging in age from 8 to 11 years. All of them had normal lip seal, nasal breathing, and a clinically normal body posture. Design: A lateral craniocervical radiograph in a self-balanced natural head position in an erect posture, and without using a head holder, was taken for each child of both groups, with the mandible in maximum intercuspati...