Z. Smahel et Z. Mullerova, EFFECTS OF MANDIBULAR GROWTH-PATTERNS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONFIGURATION OF THE FACE IN PATIENTS WITH UNILATERAL CLEFT-LIP AND PALATE, Scandinavian journal of plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery, 28(3), 1994, pp. 207-215
Radiographic cephalometry has been used for the assessment of the effe
cts of mandibular rotation and of posterior growth displacement of the
temporomandibular joint on the development of the face and on overjet
in 43 patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate between
the ages of 10 and 15 years. Rotation acted mainly on vertical facial
measurements and on the position of the lower jaw. The degree of poste
rior displacement of the temporomandibular joint exerted an influence
on the position of the mandible, on the difference between the functio
nal length of the upper and lower jaw, and on the occlusion of incisor
s. The direction of growth of the mandible as a whole represented the
result of a combination of changes produced by the rotation of the jaw
and by the degree of posterior displacement of the temporomandibular
joint. The most favourable conditions for development were a combinati
on of the neutral type of rotation with a more pronounced posterior di
splacement of the temporomandibular joint.