LIP POSTURE AND MOUTH WIDTH IN CHILDREN WITH UNILATERAL CLEFT-LIP

The aim of this study was to measure on photographs the protrusion of the upper and lower lips and demonstrate their relationships to each o ther, to measure the width of the mouth, and to compare these findings within complete and incomplete cleft groups and with normal controls at the ages of 5 and 10 years. It was found that the lower lip was mor e protrusive and the mouth width was narrower in 5-year-old children w ith complete clefts prior to maxillary collapse than in the control ch ildren. It is concluded that there is a lack of tissue in the cleft li p leading to less distensibility and increased lip pressure and that t his may be one of the factors causing maxillary retrusion.