A Comparative Study on Vertical and Transverse Orthodontic Relapse in Patients with and Without Cleft Lip and Palate

ObjectiveTo compare the 2-year post-treatment stability of vertical and transverse dimensions in orthodontic patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) versus non-cleft controls (NC).DesignRetrospective comparative study.Patients/ParticipantsTwenty-eight patients divided into CLP (<i>n</i> = 14) and NC (<i>n</i> = 14) groups matched for age and sex.InterventionsOrthodontic fixed appliance therapy followed by removable vacuum-formed retainers.Main Outcome MeasuresVertical changes were assessed with lateral cephalograms, and transverse relationships were analyzed using the Modified Huddart-Bodenham (MHB) Index. Intragroup changes (T0-T1) were analyzed with paired <i>t</i>-tests and intergroup differences with unpaired <i>t</i>-tests (<i>P</i> < .05).ResultsAt 2-year post-treatment, the cleft group showed significant reductions in anterior facial height (-1.06 ± 0.59 mm, <i>P</i> < .001), U1-NF (-0.31 ± 0.48 mm, <i>P</i> = .01), L1-MP (-0.54 ± 0.63 mm, <i>P</i> = .004), and U6-NF (-0.66 ± 0.70 mm, <i>P</i> < .001). Transverse relapse was evident at the incisors (-0.36 ± 0.50, <i>P</i> = .006), molars (-0.43 ± 0.51, <i>P</i> = .002), and in total scores (-0.29 ± 0.47, <i>P</i> = .007). The NC group showed minimal changes (<i>P</i> > .05).ConclusionsPatients with CLP demonstrate greater vertical and transverse orthodontic relapse 2-year post-treatment compared to non-cleft patients. These findings underscore the necessity for potential permanent retention protocols tailored to the unique anatomical and physiological challenges of the cleft population.