Palate Morphology in Children with Cleft Palate with Palatalized Articulation

Abstract

This study was designed to examine postoperatively morphological characteristics of the palate of children with cleft palate with palatalized articulation. Palate morphology was measured in children with good velopharyngeal closure function after surgery, who were classified in Hellman's Dental Age II A group with unilateral cleft lip and palate, and the groups of children with palatalized articulation (CP-P) and normal articulation (CP-N) were compared. The results showed that the group of children with palatalized articulation was characterized by small palatal volume. In particular, there was narrowing and shortening of the anterior palate, and the palate was shallow. It was surmised that morphology may be one cause of palatalized articulation. Accordingly, it is important that early tongue-clicking movements are encouraged in patients exhibiting narrow palate morphology.