ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the cephalometric skeletal and dental characteristics of unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) subjects with and without missing teeth.DesignA retrospective records review was conducted for patients who are being treated at the cleft lip and palate (CLP) clinics in the College of Dentistry.MethodsNinety-six consecutive records of non-syndromic UCCLP subjects were recruited (33 subjects without missing teeth, 50 subjects with only one missing tooth, and 13 subjects with two or more missing teeth). Skeletal and dental characteristics were assessed using lateral cephalometric radiographs in UCCLP subjects with missing teeth and compared to the group with no missing teeth. A total of 25 linear and angular measurements were analyzed and compared between the sample groups.ResultsOf the dental variables tested, overjet was significantly different between the three groups. The UCCLP subjects with multiple missing teeth had the smallest overjet (–3.89±2.75 mm; P=0.015) among the three groups. None of the skeletal characteristics reached statistical significance.ConclusionMissing teeth influence the dental but not skeletal characteristics of UCCLP. Overjet is significantly reduced in UCCLP subjects with multiple missing teeth. Future studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate cephalometric soft tissue characteristics in individuals with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) both with and without missing teeth. Design A retrospective investigation of patient records, who are being treated at the cleft lip and palate (CLP) clinics at the College of Dentistry. Ninety-six consecutive records of nonsyndromic UCCLP subjects were recruited (33 subjects without missing teeth and 63 subjects with missing teeth). Linear and angular soft tissue measurements obtained from lateral cephalometric radiographs were evaluated and compared among the studied samples. Results Lower lip was significantly retruded and shorter (p = 0.037), p = 0.015, respectively; in addition to the fact that shallower mentolabial sulcus (p = 0.05) was found in the subjects with missing teeth, the rest of the soft tissue was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion In subjects with a UCCLP anomaly, missing teeth have an effect on lower lip position and length, which influenced the mentolabial sulcus. Lower lip position and length differ between cleft patients who present with either multiple missing teeth or with no missing teeth, and this needs to be considered during orthodontic treatment planning and surgical management for the cleft defect.