Mandibular asymmetry in noncleft and unilateral cleft lip and palate individuals.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate mandibular asymmetry in unilateral cleft lip and palate individuals (UCLP) in relation to chronologic age and in relation to lower facial asymmetry.


METHODS
The longitudinal records of 34 UCLP individuals and 142 controls treated in the Department of Orthodontics, Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, NY, were included in the study. Posteroanterior and oblique cephalometric radiographs were analyzed for lower facial asymmetry and mandibular asymmetry, respectively. Mandibular asymmetry in UCLP was analyzed relative to three age groups (6-10, 11-14, and 15 or greater) and compared to controls. Moreover, mandibular asymmetry was analyzed relative to lower facial asymmetry.


RESULTS
UCLP individuals showed no significant differences in mandibular asymmetry compared to controls. In addition, no significant correlation was found between mandibular asymmetry and lower facial asymmetry in UCLP.


CONCLUSIONS
The degree of mandibular asymmetry in UCLP appears not to be the major contributing factor to the lower facial asymmetry noted on these individuals. Possible cranial-base/temporal-region anomalies may be involved in unilateral cleft lip and palate and be responsible of the asymmetry noted in the lower facial skeleton.
Laspos
C P
CP
Department of Orthodontics and TMD, Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
Kyrkanides
S
S
Tallents
R H
RH
Moss
M E
ME
Subtelny
J D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002680:Chin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019291:Skull Base / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology