Facial left-right dominance in cleft lip and palate: three-dimension evaluation

Studies on facial left-right dominance in individuals without craniofacial anomalies have demonstrated controversial results. This is probably due to the frequent use of two-dimensional methods, yet left-right dominance consists of transverse, vertical, and sagittal components. The aim of the present study was to describe three-dimensionally facial left-right dominance in individuals with an operated complete unilateral cleft lip and palate on the left side (LUCLP), on the right side (RUCLP), and in individuals without craniofacial anomalies (controls). Using stereophotogrammetry, three-dimensional coordinates for 16 bilateral and 10 midsagittal facial landmarks were determined for the LUCLP group (N = 32), the RUCLP group (N = 17), and the control group (N = 80). Left-right dominance was measured in three directions. Individuals without craniofacial anomalies showed a facial left sided dominance in the transverse direction, a facial right sided dominance in the sagittal direction, and no particular dominated side in the vertical direction. Individuals with a unilateral cleft lip and palate demonstrated a facial dominance of the nonaffected side in the vertical direction as well as in the sagittal direction, with no particular side dominant in the transverse direction. Generally, there was more variation in left-right dominance within the face in the vertical and sagittal directions.