EUROPEAN ORAL RESEARCH, vol.58, no.2, pp.83-87, 2024 (ESCI)
Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the
zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) and infraorbital foramen region (IFR) with
facial symmetry in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) using cone
beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Materials and Methods
In this retrospective study, CBCT images of 30 non-syndromic UCLP patients were
included, along with 30 age- and sex-matched control individuals. ZMC symmetry
was evaluated in the axial section by comparing the right and left sides. Similarly,
symmetry in the IFR was assessed in the coronal section. The significance level was
set at p<0.05 for statistical analysis.
Results
The study group comprised 12 female and 18 male patients, with ages ranging
from 10 to 18 years (mean age 14.1 years). Both ZMC and IFR measurements were
significantly lower on the cleft sides of the study group compared to both the noncleft sides of UCLP patients and the control group (p<0.001, p=0.022, and p=0.036,
respectively). Furthermore, IFR measurements were significantly lower in the
control group compared to the non-cleft sides of the study group (p=0.04).
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that individuals with UCLP exhibit asymmetry in both the
ZMC and the IFR. These findings suggest a negative impact on facial aesthetics.