Three-dimensional craniofacial morphology in unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Craniofacial morphology and asymmetry were compared before, during, and after puberty within and between patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) and a non-cleft group. In the UCCLP group, the posterior cranial base and total cranial base were significantly shorter at all skeletal periods, the maxilla was significantly retruded and posteriorly rotated, and the mandible was significantly smaller and inferoposteriorly rotated. The angle between the nasal and mandibular plane and lower anterior facial height were significantly higher, and upper posterior facial height and total posterior height were significantly lower, in the UCCLP group.