Objective: To evaluate any three-dimensional (3D) changes to upper lip and nose morphology after bone grafting in unilateral complete cleft lip and palate patients.
Material and Method: 3D facial images of 10 male and 11 female subjects were taken before and 3 months after alveolar
bone grafting. Locations of 13 upper lip and nose landmarks were set on the 3D images, and their positions were measured
as X, Y, and Z, coordinating by Morpheus 3D Facemaker® software. Changes in coordinate measurements were checked
following grafting. Statistical analysis was performed with paired t-test (p<0.05).
Results: There were no changes between before and after grafting in position of landmarks for X-coordinate. There were
statistically significant, although not large changes, of labriale superius, vertically (Y-coordinate 0.78+2.57 mm) and anteriorly
(Z-coordinate 0.31+0.67 mm); and subalar anteriorly on the operative side (Z-coordinate 1.31+1.63 mm).
Conclusion: Morphology of the upper lip and nose appeared to be minimally improved by bone grafting. There were possible
confounding factors of variabilities of the subjects. Thus, conclusions about possible absence of substantial esthetic benefits of grafting on upper lip and nose morphology remain uncertain.

Keywords: Alveolar bone graft, Unilateral cleft lip and palate, Upper lip and nose morphology, 3D facial image