BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and palate deformity have unknown patterns of maxillofacial growth and development. The maxillofacial growth can be affected either by congenital or environmental factors such as infection and trauma. Surgical repair of cleft lip and palate may interfere the subsequent growth and development of maxillofacial region. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of maxillofacial growth patterns in adult cleft lip and palate patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material for this study consisted of 17 adult male patients with cleft lip and palate. Cephalometric tracing and measurements were done by one investigator. The relationship between 17 cleft lip and palate patients and Korean norms were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: There were statistically difference in Na, perpendicular to point A, SNA angle, effective maxillary length, maxillofacial differencial, Wit's appraisal and upper incisor to point A (p < 0.01). Pogonion to Na. perpendicular also statistically differed (p < 0.05). Other measurements didn't statistically differ. CONCLUSION: It was evident that in adult cleft lip and palate patients, maxilla was retruded and short. Careful cleft lip and palate repair and treatment are recommended for facilitating normal growth of maxilla.
Adult* ; Cleft Lip* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Growth and Development ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Maxilla ; Palate* ; Research Personnel

BACKGROUND: When we make treatment plan of class III malocclusion children, it is difficult to determine whether we treat it with orthognathic surgery or without orthognathic surgery. To determine that, we must consider many factors, such as cephalometric analysis, growth pattern, family history, and skeletal age. A Harvold cephalometric analysis is useful in determining the amount of discrepancy by comparing the maxillary unit length with mandibular unit length. We tried this study to help the decision of treatment planning in class III malocclusion children by comparison in class III malocclusion and normal occlusion children using a Harvold analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials for this study consisted of 20 class III malocclusion children. Cephalometric tracing and measurements were performed by one investigator. The control group consisted of 18 normal occlusion children and lateral cephalograms were obtained from 8.5 to 14.5 years old children biannually. The relationships between class III malocclusion group and normal occlusion group were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The lower anterior facial heights between two groups were not significantly different, although the lower anterior facial heights of class III malocclusion group was higher than those of normal occlusion group in all age groups. The Maxillary-mandibular unit length differences of class III malocclusion group were significantly higher than those of normal occlusion group(p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A Harvold analysis was useful to make treatment planning for class III malocclusion children.
Child* ; Humans ; Malocclusion* ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Research Personnel

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the vitality of the teeth in and adjacent to the mandibular fracture line according to variable conditions of fracture and to establish the protocol of treatment of fracture line teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vitality of 97 teeth in fracture line and 104 teeth adjacent to fracture line of 52 patients were invested preoperatively. Of these, 66 teeth in fracture line and 72 teeth adjacent to fracture line were monitored at least 6 months after operation. An electric pulp tester was used to measure pulpal response. The relationships between the vitality of teeth in variable time(preoperation, immediate post-operation; within 1 week after operation, and 6 months after operation) and variable conditions of fracture(horizontal, vertical gap of fracture line, the number of fracture line)were evaluated statistically. RESULT: The vitality of fracture line teeth in the 6 months after operation statistically differed by the vertical gap of fracture line and the number of fracture line. The vitality of fracture line adjacent teeth in the immediate post-operation only statistically differed by the vertical gap of fracture line. There were statistically differences between preoperative EPT value and vitality of fracture line teeth on 6 months after operation. There were 5 cases of complications including periapical and periodontal abscess. Of these, only one tooth was extracted and the others were well treated with endodontic treatment and subgingival curettage. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to retain teeth and to monitor the vitality of teeth in and adjacent to fracture line, unless there is an absolute indication for extraction.
Humans ; Mandibular Fractures* ; Periodontal Abscess ; Prognosis* ; Subgingival Curettage ; Tooth*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the complications of open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fracture with miniplates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 134 patients who presented with 196 fractures were analyzed retrospectively. Complications were evaluated for factors such as age, the site of fracture, the severity of fracture, delayed operation, preoperative wound contamination, the site and disposition of teeth in the fracture line and midfacial fractures. Statistical analysis was used to compare complications to risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 134 patients, 20 patients had some form of postoperative complications and complication rate was 14.9%. These complications included infection, plate fracture, malocclusion, wound dehiscence, nerve injury and nonunion. There was a significant correlation between complication rate and the severity of fracture, preoperative wound contamination and the site of the fracture and disposition of teeth(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of postoperative complications in the treatment of mandibular fractures was related to the severity of fracture, preoperative wound contamination and the site of the fracture and disposition of teeth.
Humans ; Malocclusion ; Mandibular Fractures* ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tooth ; Wounds and Injuries

Ligaments ; Molar ; Molar, Third ; Periodontal Ligament