Two- or three-dimensional cast analysis in patients with cleft lip and palate?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate different two- and three-dimensional cast analyses for the assessment of maxillary dimensions in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, using a set of representative cast series.


METHODS
Consecutive casts were taken from ten patients at 1 week, and at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. First, cast surfaces were digitized two-dimensionally using a scanner. Subsequently, landmarks were identified on screen and the previously defined maxillary dimensions were determined automatically by computer. Additionally, three-dimensional measurements were carried out using a specialized coordinate measurement table. The differences between the respective measurements were analyzed for statistical significance.


RESULTS
The present study shows that the precision of the cast analysis is influenced above all by the quality of the casts and less by the precision of the measuring system employed. Moreover, misinterpretation of the results can be attributed to using an inappropriate reference system or to considering mean values only. When assessing linear and angular measurements located in approximately the same plane, no significant amount of additional information could be obtained by including the third dimension.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, two-dimensional measurement procedures are appropriate in principle for quick, reliable cast analysis in patients with cleft lip and palate.
Braumann
B
B
Department of Orthodontics, University of Bonn, Germany. Braumann@uni-bonn.de
Rosenhayn
S E
SE
Bourauel
C
C
Jäger
A
A
D002508:Cephalometry; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000473:pathology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000473:pathology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008445:Maxillofacial Development; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000379:methods*