Aim: To compare the width and length of a maxillary dental arch in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) children treated during the first year of life with a one-stage repair of the lip and palate and a control group.
Material and methods: 25 UCLP 10-12 years old subjects treated in the first year of life compared to 26 subjects with normal morphology of the dental arches. Intermolar and interpremolar widths and the length of the dental arch were measured. The difference between the groups was assessed by the T test for independent samples.
Results: The intermolar width was similar in both groups. The interpremolar width and the length of the dental arch were smaller in the treated group. However the difference in the interpremolar width between the groups was small -- approximately 2 mm.
Conclusions: One-stage surgical repair of the cleft lip and palate performed in the first year of life prevents a serious constriction of the maxillary dental arch. However a final verification of the treatment protocol employed in our Centre for Craniofacial Disorders will only be possible after the completion of maxillary growth.