Although only over half the patients had FPMs extracted at the "ideal time", this did not appear to influence successful positioning of the upper or lower SPM. More research is required to investigate and confirm which predictive parameters have a significant effect on post-extraction orthodontic development, especially in the lower arch.

The repeatability of digital models compared with plaster models is satisfactory for clinical applications, although this study demonstrated some systematic differences. Digital study models can therefore be considered for use as an adjunct to clinical assessment of the occlusion, but as yet may not supersede current methods for scientific purposes.

Objective This study examined the facial surfaces of cleft children and unaffected children aged 8–11 years with the aim of identifying and assessing differences in their facial surface morphology. The investigation was carried out using an Optical Surface Scanner, an instrument that utilizes laser light to construct and archive a three-dimensional image of the face suitable for linear measurement and direct surface comparisons. Design, Setting, and Patients Thirty-nine cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients and 25 unaffected subjects were voluntarily recruited from two southeast England hospitals. A range of linear facial measurements was compared. Three-dimensional differences between the cleft subgroups and the control group were visualized by superimposition of averaged cleft scans over the averaged control group images. Results Statistically significant dimensional differences (p ≤ .05) in interocular width, nose base widths, mouth widths, and nose base/mouth width ratios were found between the cleft group and the control group. Qualitative differences over the whole of the face were readily demonstrated between the groups by superimposition. Face width and submandibular area depth differed consistently between the groups, the cleft face appearing narrower with a deeper submandibular area. Conclusion Significant differences exist between the facial surface morphology of CLP patients and control subjects.

The self-perceived problems and concerns of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and their parents were investigated. Thirty-two patients ranging in age from 16 to 25 years (mean = 19.9 years) and their parents were sent questionnaires by mail. Twenty-eight patients and 30 parents completed the questionnaires. The results suggest that the patients were satisfied with the treatment they had received. They believed that the efforts of the members of the cleft palate team had been successful, and they were generally satisfied with their overall facial appearance and speech. There were, however, specific aspects with which they were less satisfied; their nose, lip, profile, speech, and teeth. They did not feel significantly socially or emotionally handicapped, although they noted that they had been teased and that they found relations with the opposite sex difficult. Their parents were also generally satisfied with all aspects of treatment and their child's appearance and speech. They identified those areas that their child was most concerned with, but did not fully appreciate how satisfied their child was with his or her facial features. The parents felt that their children were socially and emotionally affected by their cleft and felt their school results had also been affected.

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