Dental Anomalies in Maxillary Incisors and Canines among Patients with Total Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

Cleft lip and palate is the most common asymmetric congenital condition of the orofacial region, which also finds its reflection in dental anomalies. The aim of the study was to present the dental asymmetries of the front region of the maxilla in cleft patients. Materials and Methods: We analyzed plaster casts and panoramic X-rays of 154 patients with total clefts and 151 healthy individuals. The cleft patients’ age ranged between 7.1 and 20 years (mean 13.18). The control group had a similar age range (7.1 and 20 years, mean 13.44). The digital caliper was used to measure the width of the teeth. Each measurement was performed three times each. Results: Most of the dental anomalies among cleft patients referred to the lateral incisors and were focused on the cleft side. The asymmetry of the incisors is reflected both in the number of teeth in the cleft region and their width. The lateral incisor was missing twice as frequently on the cleft side of the individual. If present, the lateral incisor was usually ±1.5 mm narrower than the incisor on the opposite side. In bilateral clefts, dental anomalies occurred more frequently on the left side. Conclusions: Dental problems occurred more frequently in patients with total cleft lip and palate than in healthy individuals. The most commonly affected teeth were the lateral incisors. The width of the lateral incisors was reduced in cleft patients—showing a smaller mesiodistal dimension on the cleft side.