Evaluation of the Facial Soft-Tissue Thickness in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate

Aim:In this study the authors aimed to evaluate craniofacial morphology and facial soft tissue thickness of the patients with cleft lip and palate.(CLP), and to compare the results with a sex and age-matched noncleft healthy control group.Methods:Craniofacial and soft tissue thickness measurements of 20 patients with unilateral cleft lip palate (UCLP) and 20 patients with bilateral cleft lip palate (BCLP) were compared with 20 noncleft control subjects. Angles between Sella-Nasion-A point, Sella-Nasion-B point, Nasion-A and Nasion-B line, Sella-Nasion line and Gonion-Gnation line, and linear (glabella, rhinion, subnasale, labrale superius, stomion, labrale inferius, labiomentale, pogonion, and gnathion) measurements were assessed on lateral cephalometric radiographs. Group differences were evaluated with 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test.Results:Unilateral cleft lip palate and BCLP groups demonstrated lower values of skeletal measurements than control group except for Sella-Nasion line and Gonion-Gnation line value (P<0.01). Maxillary incisors were retruded in BCLP group compared with the other groups (P<0.001). Thickness of the rhinion, subnasale, and stomion demonstrated no significant difference between UCLP and BCLP groups (P>0.05). Thickness of rhinion and stomion was found significantly higher in both groups, and thickness of the subnasale was found significantly lower than the healthy group (P<0.05).Conclusion:Findings of the study suggested that patients with CLP showed differences on craniofacial morphology and facial soft tissue thickness. Before planning orthodontic treatment and esthetic surgeries, soft tissue thickness should be taken into consideration in addition to skeletal measurements in CLP patients.