title: Three-dimensional evaluation of the maxillary arch and palate in unilateral cleft lip and palate subjects using digital dental casts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess arch width, palatal surface area, and volume in surgically treated unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in mixed dentition children in comparison with non-cleft lip and palate (NCLP) children using a 3D laser scanning.
  
  
  METHODS
  38 subjects (Caucasian origin), 5.63-11.9 years of age (mean, 9.33 ± 1.67 years), were included. 19 in each group (UCLP and NCLP). Digital dental casts were obtained using a 3 Shape R700 laser scanner. Intercanine and intermolar widths (cusp and gingival levels), palatal surface area and volume were measured. An independent sample Student's t-test and an ANOVA were undertaken with significance level set as P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intercanine widths at the cusp (5.60 mm; P < 0.001) and at the gingival level (3.11 mm; P = 0.014), palatal area (141.5 mm2; P = 0.009) and volume (890.7 mm3; P = 0.029) were significantly lower in the UCLP compared to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A smaller part of the subjects was in late mixed dentition phase. To overcome this limitation a matched control group was used. In seven subjects with UCLP, some teeth were missing, which might have had an influence on the dental measurements. However, these subjects could not be excluded because eliminating more severely affected subjects, would have introduced bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-dimensional evaluation of the maxillary arch and palate highlighted significant differences between UCLP and non-UCLP subjects in mixed dentition phase, suggesting that orthopaedic maxillary expansion is advisable in UCLP.
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Generali
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics and Jaw Orthopaedics, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Jasmina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Primozic
authors.affiliation: Dental Health and Biological Sciences, Dental School, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bizzarro
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flores-Mir
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics and Jaw Orthopaedics, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ovsenik
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perillo
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique