A new method for maxillary arch form design in cleft lip and palate patients

Introduction: A study on the presentation of a modified beta function formula to predict maxillary arch form in patients with cleft palate (CLP) is of great importance. In order to have this information, this study was done to present a modified beta function formula for predicting upper dental arch of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and to assess its accuracy. Since this information can be used to predict ideal maxillary arch form in CLP patients thus, would be an appropriate guide for clinician to provide ideal orthodontic and surgical treatment for these patients. Materials and Methods: 46 adolescents with cleft lip and palate were selected. The measurements on dental casts included inter-molar width (IMW) and depth (IMD) of the both dental arches. The modified beta function formula was expressed by means of MATLAB Curve Fitting toolbox and its accuracy in prediction was evaluated. Results: The mean values of maxillary and mandibular IMW and IMD in cleft patients were 56.21± 3.57mm, 51.79±3.17mm, 31.64±3.46mm and 28.21±2.20mm, respectively. The maxillary and mandibular IMW and IMD positively correlated to each other (P=0.00).The accuracy of prediction of upper arch form in cleft patients due to expressed modified beta function formula using Delta R was 1.69mm. The upper and lower IMD difference between males and females and between unilateral and bilateral cleft patients was statistically significant. Conclusion: This study presented a modified beta function formula for predicting maxillary arch form in cleft patients, which demonstrated an acceptable level of accuracy.