Cephalometric findings in a normal Nigerian population sample and adult Nigerians with unrepaired clefts

Cephalometric values have been established for twenty adult Nigerians, three adults with unrepaired unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA) and two adults with unrepaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Normal values for SNA and SNB were 85.5 degrees +/- 3.5 and 82.7 degrees +/- 3.2 respectively, and the mean ANB values were 3.1 degrees +/- 0.8. The cephalometric data for unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA) subjects whose clefts were not repaired until adulthood did not differ significantly from normal controls. However, in two adults with unrepaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), the SNA values were less than normal controls and the ANB values were reduced to negative levels. Bimaxillary protrusion of the incisors appears to be a normal feature in Nigerians. There appears to be inhibition of maxillary growth in UCLP patients but not in UCLA cases.