Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Mesiodistal tooth size in non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate patients: a meta-analysis
Gregory S Antonarakis1, Kleopatra Tsiouli, Panagiotis Christou
1Department of Orthodontics, Dental School, University of Geneva, 19, rue Barthelemmy-Menn, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland. Gregory.Antonarakis@unige.ch
Objectives:
To evaluate, using meta-analysis methodology, mesiodistal tooth dimensions in non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients.
Materials And Methods:
A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar Beta, EMBASE Excerpta Medica, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Collaboration, identifying English and non-English articles reporting on mesiodistal tooth dimensions on the cleft and non-cleft side of non-syndromic unilateral CLP patients. Additional studies were identified by searching reference lists of articles consulted. Only studies with a suitable control group were included. Two examiners independently performed the literature search and data extraction. Using meta-analysis software, data extracted from each selected study were statistically combined using the fixed-effects model. Weighted mean differences, 95 % confidence intervals, and heterogeneity were calculated for each measurement.
Results:
Four articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria were located and included in the meta-analysis. Maxillary incisors and first molars were found to be significantly larger on the non-cleft side while mandibular incisors and premolars were larger on the cleft side, in non-syndromic unilateral CLP patients. On the cleft side, maxillary premolars and second molars were larger in cleft than control patients while incisors were smaller, whereas all mandibular teeth were larger in cleft patients. On the non-cleft side, all maxillary teeth except for the central incisors were larger in the cleft than control patients, while all mandibular teeth were larger in the cleft patients except for lateral incisors.
Conclusions:
Non-syndromic unilateral CLP patients tend to have larger posterior but smaller anterior teeth compared with the general population. Comparing sides, unilateral CLP patients tend to have smaller maxillary but larger mandibular teeth on the cleft than on the non-cleft side.
Clinical Relevance:
Given that obtaining a stable, functional, and esthetic occlusion requires a thorough evaluation of tooth size, knowledge about trends in tooth size variations in CLP patients can help with dental and orthodontic treatment planning.
