Correlation of Dental Anomalies with Cleft Type and Gender in Non-Syndromic Oral Cleft Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

To investigate the distribution of dental anomalies between non-syndromic orofacial cleft patients and their association with the cleft type and gender. Retrospective cross-sectional study involving examination of intraoral dental records and radiographs. 300 non-syndromic orofacial cleft patients included (161 males and 139 females, mean age: 10.23 ± 2.3 years). Variables analyzed: tooth agenesis, microdontia, and supernumerary teeth. Data analysis: Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to investigate the correlation between dental anomalies, cleft type, and gender. Agenesis occurred in 66% of the subjects, supernumerary teeth in 19.6%, and microdontia in 18.3%. In females with unilateral left cleft lip and palate (CLP), agenesis was significantly higher compared to males. Both genders presented significant agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors and right central incisor. Significant agenesis of central incisor, canine and second premolar on the upper left side and lower second premolars were observed only in males, with significant microdontia for maxillary lateral incisors and left central incisor. Significant agenesis of maxillary first premolars was seen only in females. Agenesis in maxillary quadrants was significant for patients with unilateral right and left CLP, and bilateral CLP. In mandibular quadrants, agenesis was substantially higher for patients with isolated CP. Results suggest that tooth agenesis and microdontia might not be directly associated with the cleft area's anatomical irregularity but are affected by gender and other genetic factors that regulate the development of the anomaly and the orofacial clefting mutually.