3D evaluation of tooth crown size in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate and compare the 3-dimensional (3D) crown sizes of the left and right sides of upper and lower dental arches in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental casts of 94 patients all in permanent dentition were included in this study. Dental casts were divided into three groups as 36 casts with unilateral left cleft lip and palate (ULCLP), 18 casts with unilateral right cleft lip and palate (URCLP), and 40 casts without cleft (control). Mesiodistal (MD), buccolingual (BL), and gingiva incisal (GI) values of each tooth were measured by scanning the dental models with a high-precision optical 3D scanner. Paired t-test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: U1 MD, U6 MD (P = 0.001) and BL (P = 0.01), L3 GI (P = 0.05) were greater in UCLP patients on the non-cleft side while U1 GI, L1 BL, L5 MD (P = 0.001), L4 MD, and BL (P = 0.01) values were found to be greater on the cleft side. Comparison of the cleft-sides and the control group showed that MD, BL, and GI dimensions of teeth on the cleft sides were generally found to be smaller, excluding the UR7 GI values for URCLP group (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the measurements of teeth size, reliable and repeatable results were acquired through 3D software. Tooth size asymmetries can occur non-syndromic UCLP patients in both jaws. MD, BL, and GI dimensions of teeth are mostly found to be smaller in patients with CLP.

Evaluation of the relationship between stylohyoid complex morphology and maxillary/mandibular position using cone beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the morphologic features of the stylohyoid complex (SHC) and its relation to maxillomandibular position using three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images from 157 individuals (74 females, 83 males) were analysed in this study. SHC length, width, and sagittal and transverse angles were measured. The subjects were grouped as skeletal class I, II, and III in order to determine the relative positions of the maxilla and mandible in the sagittal plane and as hypodivergent, normodivergent, and hyperdivergent according to the vertical rotation of the mandible in relation to the skull base. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean SHC length was 23.56 ± 8.05 mm on the right side and 22.0 ± 6.51 mm on the left; mean SHC width was 3.31 ± 1.40 mm on the right and 2.93 ± 1.30 mm on the left. Mean sagittal angle was 27.43 ± 6.75° on the right side, 27.70 ± 6.51° on the left; mean transverse angle was 70.39 ± 4.59° on the right side and 71.79 ± 4.99° on the left. The only significant difference based on skeletal classification was greater SHC length among males compared to females in the class III group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant relationship was observed between SHC morphology and position of the maxilla or mandible. However, the gender difference observed among class III subjects suggests that SHC morphology may be affected by craniofacial morphology. Maxillofacial surgeons should investigate this anatomical landmark variation before surgical interventions involving this region, such as temporomandibular joint procedures.

Assessment of sella turcica area and skeletal maturation patterns of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this case-control study was to assess sella turcica area and skeletal maturity in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and compare with those of non-cleft children. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: A total of 85 UCLP patients aged 7.5-17.08 years (Group 1: age 7-11 years, Group 2: age 11-14 years and Group 3: age 14-18 years) were compared with 85 control subjects without clefts who were divided into similar age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hand-wrist radiographs and cervical vertebra maturation stages (CVMS) were used to evaluate growth. Lateral cephalograms were traced, and reference points of sella were determined. Sella turcica area was measured using a digital planimeter. RESULTS: Comparison of overall growth on hand-wrist radiographs revealed no significant difference between cleft and non-cleft subjects. However, according to the chronological age groups, Group 1-UCLP showed statistically significant delay in skeletal maturation when compared with the age-matched control subjects (P = .05). This difference was due to the delay among male subjects (P = .05). As for CVMS, more significant maturation delay was observed in Group 1-UCLP (P = .001) and was attributable to both male and female subjects (P = .05). Comparison of sella turcica area showed no significant difference between UCLP patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Although children with CLP showed significant delay in growth when they are younger compared with the non-cleft children, sella turcica area measurements were similar for individuals in both groups.