Deciduous Tooth Dimensions In Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

The deciduous teeth of 40 subjects with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP) and 42 noncleft controls were measured. The mesiodistal and faciolingual dimensions of several maxillary teeth in the vicinity of the cleft were smaller than their corresponding antimeres. No such differences were apparent in the mandibular arch. In the control sample there were no differences in either maxillary or mandibular arches. The CUCLP group generally demonstrated significantly smaller dimensions for both mesiodistal and faciolingual dimensions for both maxillary and mandibular arches when compared to the control group. These findings lend possible support to the hypothesis that tissue deficiency may be a factor in cleft lip and palate development. Various studies in the literature have demonstrated differences in the size of the jaws and other related facial structures be— tween cleft and noncleft populations (Bimm et al., 1960; Aduss et al., 1971). The differences noted have been greater in the midfacial region where the clefting occurs, than in the lower face (Ho Kim, 1958). The cleft population also demonstrates an increased frequency of disturbed dental morphology (Pruzansky, 1955; Dixon, 1968.) The occurrence of agenesis and supernumerary teeth is reported to be higher in cleft populations (Bohn, 1950; Jordan et al., 1966). Foster and Lavelle (1971) demonstrated that most permanent teeth are smaller in the cleft population. Embryologists have stated that clefts of