[Presurgical orthodontic treatment of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate in 100 infants].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the application and curative effect of naso-alveolar molding plate in the presurgical orthodontic treatment of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate in infants.


METHODS
From January 2003 to March 2004, 100 infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate received presurgical orthopedics by using naso-alveolar molding plate. According to the age, 100 infants (aging 10 days to 3 months, including 60 males and 40 females) were divided into the test group (10 days to 1 month) and the control group (1-3 months). The widths of lip cleft and dentoalveolar cleft and the rate of satisfaction for nose wing were compared between 2 groups before treatment and after the treatment.


RESULTS
The widths of cleft lip and dentoalveolar cleft before orthodontic (5.0 +/- 1.6 mm, 6.9 +/- 2.6 mm) and after orthodontics (4.1 +/- 2.7 mm, 6.4 +/- 2.9 mm)in the test group were less than those in the control group (7.5 3.1 mm, 12.5 +/- 4.0 mm and 8.3 +/- 3.0 mm, 10.8 +/- 2.6 mm), being statistically different (P < 0.05). The satisfactory rate of nose wing in the test group (86.3%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (62.4%, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of presurgical orthodontic treatment of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate in infants are as follows: repositioning the premaxillary segment, reducing the width of palate cleft, correcting the nasal deformities and facilitating surgical repair of cleft lip and palate.
Deng
Liqin
L
Department of Stomatology, Guangzhou Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Guangdong, 510120, PR China. dengliqingz@163.com
Jiang
Jie
J
Li
Fan
F
Wang
Huiqing
H
Wang
Hongtao
H
D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011300:Preoperative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome