Isolated soft tissue cleft lip: the influence on the nasal cavity and supernumerary laterals.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this investigation was to estimate the vertical deviation of the nasal floor and to register dental disturbances (i.e., hypo- and hyperdontia) in patients with an isolated soft tissue cleft lip.

DESIGN

Thirty patients with isolated cleft lips were randomly selected from the files of the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Jaw Orthopedics. As a matched control group, 30 patients were selected from the files of the Department of Orthodontics. Panoramic radiographs were analyzed and the lowest point of the floor of the left and right nasal cavity was measured to the nearest 0.5 mm. The presence of supernumerary (deciduous or permanent) or missing lateral incisors was recorded from the patient's journals.

RESULTS

The vertical position of the nasal floor differed significantly between the cleft and the non-cleft side (p < 0.001). Supernumerary, deciduous, and permanent laterals were recorded in 73% of the subjects in the cleft lip group (22 patients). In the control group, no differences were found between the position of the nasal floor on the left and right side and no supernumerary laterals were recorded. Missing laterals were not noted in any of the individuals investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated cleft lips were in most cases associated with: (1) lowering of the nasal floor on the cleft side and (2) supernumerary primary or permanent lateral incisors on the cleft side. Panoramic radiographs can be used to detect differences in the vertical position of the floor of the nasal cavity in patients with isolated cleft lips and to diagnose supernumerary laterals.