Abstract
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between 5-year-olds’index evaluation and dentofacial morphology in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients using longitudinal data.
The subjects consisted of 48 unilateral cleft lip and palate patients （male: 31, female: 17） who were treated and maintained until completion of their permanent dentition at the Tohoku University Hospital Cleft Palate Center. Of 48 patients, 3 were rated score 1, 7 were rated score 2, 22 were rated score 3, 13 were rated score 4, and 3 were rated score 5. The mean score was 3.13. The subjects were divided into three groups: group A consisted of 10 patients rated score 1 or 2; group B consisted of 22 patients rated score 3; group C consisted of 16 patients rated score 4 or 5. Dental casts and lateral cephalograms taken at the time of primary dentition （4.9±0.5 years old） and at the time of permanent dentition （13.6±1.1 years old） were used. Model analysis was used to evaluate occlusion and dental arch widths and cephalometric analysis was used to evaluated antero-posterior positions of jaws and upper and lower incisor inclinations. These data were compared with control and correlations with grouping （score） were examined.
Both anterior occlusion and posterior occlusion in the permanent dentition were poorer in the groups of larger scores. Maxillary widths were mostly smaller than their corresponding controls in both dentitions and the widths in the permanent dentition were smaller in the groups of larger scores. SNA, SNB, and incisor inclinations were smaller than their corresponding controls in both dentitions. SNA in the primary dentition and ANB and A-B plane angle in both dentitions were correlated with grouping （score）. There was no correlation between dentofacial changes and grouping （score）. Treatment intervention tended to increase in the groups of larger scores.
The 5-year-olds’index evaluation reflects the antero-posterior maxillary position and jaw relationship in the primary dentition. It also reflects the antero-posterior jaw relationship and occlusion in the permanent dentition. The 5-year-olds’index is not only useful for evaluating primary operations but also for determining the prognosis of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients.
