title: Effect of an intraoral retrusion plate on maxillary arch dimensions in complete bilateral cleft lip and palate patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze maxillary arch dimensions in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate treated with an intraoral retrusion plate prior to lip closure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of the intraoral retrusion plate were evaluated on serially obtained maxillary casts of 14 patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Student's t test for dependent observations showed a significant decrease in distance between the premaxilla and the cleft lateral segments during active treatment. This decrease correlated with an increase in deviation of the premaxilla in relation to the vomer. For each millimeter decrease in distance between the premaxilla and the cleft lateral segments, an average increase in deviation of 4.0 degrees was found. Left and right cleft widths decreased significantly, premaxillary width increased significantly, and transverse dimensions did not change significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From this study it can be concluded that active presurgical treatment with an intraoral retrusion plate induces a significant decrease in distance between the premaxilla and the lateral segments. This decrease is frequently accompanied by an increase in deviation of the premaxilla relative to the vomer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands. b.c.m.oosterkamp@dmo.azg.nl
authors.forename: Barbara C M
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Oosterkamp
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: van Oort
authors.forename: Pieter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stellingsma
authors.forename: Michiel W J
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Bierman
authors.forename: Lambert G M
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: de Bont
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D011378:Prognathism / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*