The relationship between craniomandibular dysfunction and malocclusion in white children with unilateral cleft lip...

An epidemiologic study was conducted on white children with unilateral cleft lip and cleft lip and palate to investigate the relationship between craniomandibular dysfunction and malocclusion. The results showed no statistically significant correlations between each clinical sign and symptom of craniomandibular dysfunction and each type of malocclusion. When the definitional symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction were aggregated, a statistically significant correlation was found only with anterior crossbite. Anterior crossbite, in most of the subjects with cleft lip and cleft lip and palate, is associated with skeletofacial growth disturbances. It is suggested, therefore, that the relationship between skeletofacial pattern and craniomandiubular dysfunction be investigated.