Effect of palatoplasty timing on the dental arch relationships between upper and lower jaws

Objective To investigate the effect of different palatoplasty timing on the dental arch relationship between upper and lower jaws by a retrospective study. Methods A total of 103 UCLP consecutive cases over 10 years of age were followed up after operation,which were divided into three groups according to the age of operation, group A: ≤3.0 years old, group B: ≤6. 0 years old and group C: >6.0 years old above. Maxilla and mandible plaster casts were taken for each patient. Goslon Yardstick system was used for assessing the dental arch relationships between upper and lower jaws. Results Goslon Yardstick assessing results showed that there was no significant difference between group A and group B (P>0.05), there was significant difference between group C and group A (P<0.05), and C was no significant difference between group B and group C(P = 0. 095). Conclusions Six years old was a boundary line on considering the influence of cleft palate operation age on the maxillary development. The Yardstick mean value became smaller along with increase of operation age. Key words: Cleft palate;  Dental arch;  Maxillary hypoplasia;  Goslon Yardstick system