Articulation disorders associated with maxillary growth after attainment of normal articulation after primary palatoplasty for cleft palate.
Little attention has been given to the connection between maxillary growth and the emergence of articulation disorders among cleft palate patients who previously successfully attained normal articulation after undergoing primary palatoplasty. Follow-up assessment of 22 surgically treated unilateral cleft lip and palate patients who attained normal articulation before school entry revealed that, during mixed dentition, half the patients exhibited palatalized articulation and half retained normal articulation. To determine the possible effect on articulation of growth changes in dental arch dimensions, a comparison was made of deciduous dentition and mixed dentition oral cavity measurements. Indications are that palatalized articulation occurs in patients with a smaller anterior palatal volume, the presence of linguoversion teeth, and poorer growth ability. Results reveal the importance of early management of dental arch dimensions, and the need for periodic assessment and management of articulation even for patients who attain normal articulation subsequent to primary palatoplasty.
Oyama
Tetsuo
T
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
Sunakawa
Hajime
H
Arakaki
Keiichi
K
Shinya
Teruyo
T
Tengan
Toshimoto
T
Hiratsuka
Hiroyoshi
H
Maekawa
Takako
T
D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001837:Body Weights and Measures / Q000379:methods; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008445:Maxillofacial Development; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013060:Speech