Absent maxillary lateral incisor as evidence of poor midfacial growth in unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE

The absence of a maxillary permanent lateral incisor in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) may affect the dental arch relationship. An analysis is performed to investigate the relationship between the maxillary-mandibular dental relationship and the status of the maxillary permanent lateral incisor.

STUDY

DESIGN

Patients with non-syndromic UCLP were analysed using the GOSLON Yardstick to assess maxillary-mandibular dental relationship on pre-expansion orthodontic study models. Absence of the permanent upper lateral incisor on the cleft side was assessed from medical records and dental radiographs.

RESULTS

A total of 83 subjects were identified: 54 males and 29 females, with 54 having a missing lateral incisor on the cleft side. There was a significant relationship between the GOSLON Yardstick score and the absence of the maxillary permanent lateral incisor on the cleft side (p<0.05). Of those in GOSLON categories 4 and 5, 78% had a missing lateral incisor compared to 42.3% in GOSLON 1 and 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Missing lateral incisor may be an indicator of severity of dental arch discrepancy.