Assessment of craniofacial maturation in preadolescents with cleft lip and/or palate using the cervical vertebral maturation method.

This research suggests that the craniofacial maturational stages relevant for dentofacial orthopaedic treatment in cleft patients, especially girls, occur at higher chronological age. Further research must quantify this delay, investigate its clinical significance, and determine its effect on the timing of dentofacial orthopaedic treatment.