Mandibular asymmetry in noncleft and unilateral cleft lip and palate individuals

Objective: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate mandibular asymmetry in unilateral cleft lip and palate individuals (UCLP) in relation to chronologic age and in relation to lower facial asymmetry. Design: The longitudinal records of 34 UCLP individuals and 142 controls treated in the Department of Orthodontics, Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, NY, were included in the study. Posteroanterior and oblique cephalometric radiographs were analyzed for lower facial asymmetry and mandibular asymmetry, respectively. Mandibular asymmetry in UCLP was analyzed relative to three age groups (6-10, 11-14, and 15 or greater) and compared to controls. Moreover, mandibular asymmetry was analyzed relative to lower facial asymmetry. Results: UCLP individuals showed no significant differences in mandibular asymmetry compared to controls. In addition, no significant correlation was found between mandibular asymmetry and lower facial asymmetry in UCLP. Conclusions: The degree of mandibular asymmetry in UCLP appears not to be the major contributing factor to the lower facial asymmetry noted on these individuals. Possible cranial-base/temporal-region anomalies may be involved in unilateral cleft lip and palate and be responsible of the asymmetry noted in the lower facial skeleton.