Cleft Size and Success of Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting-A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review all research evidence of presurgical cleft size and related factors to success of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG). DESIGN AND SETTING: The systematic review searched the OVID-Medline®, PubMed®, Embase®, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to August 2020. Two reviewers independently selected potential abstracts for full review. Disagreeements were resolved by consensus. The first author extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using Risk of Bias in Non-randomized studies-of Interventions tool. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Patients with non-syndromic clefts who received SABG were selected. Presurgical cleft size/volume and treatment results must be available. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Level of the grafted bone, achievement of orthodontic tooth movement into the grafted area, need for re-operation. RESULTS: From 962 abstracts, 23 publications were included. Mean cleft width was 6.80 ± 1.98 mm, cleft area 20-240 mm2, and mean volume 0.89 ± 0.33 cm3. No definite conclusion was achieved on whether a narrow or wide cleft showed better treatment outcomes, but other potentially related factors were good oral hygiene and eruptive force of the maxillary canines. Lack of a standard definition of cleft size, a small sample size, varying outcome parameters, and moderate-to-high risk of bias contributed to the summary. A meta-analysis could not be performed because of the heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Due to insufficient evidence, cleft width/volume could not be specified leading to more successful SABG. Care of patients could be improved in both research by following rigorous methodology, and practice by clear communication.

Function of Nasoalveolar Molding Devices in Bilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate: A 3-Dimensional Maxillary Arch Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe and analyze the effects of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) on maxillary arch dimensions in patients with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCLP) using 3-dimensional analyses. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen infants were treated using modified Khon Kaen University presurgical nasoalveolar molding devices (KKU-NAM). Dental casts were evaluated 3 dimensionally at 3 time points: pretreatment (T1), after using modified KKU-NAM for 2 weeks (T2), and before cheiloplasty (T3). Repeated-measures analysis of variance and Friedman test were used to compare the maxillary arch dimensions between time points. RESULTS: Both sides of the cleft width, premaxilla deviation, and premaxilla protrusion had significantly reduced with the use of KKU-NAM. Premaxillary rotation had significantly improved, whereas the arch depth did not change significantly. Premaxilla width, posterior arch width, alveolar length, and height had significantly increased. The anterior arch width, intercanine width, and lateral sulcus width showed no significant changes. The intraclass correlation coefficient used to test the measurements indicated substantial reliability. CONCLUSION: The modified KKU-NAM is an effective device for reducing the severity of bilateral cleft deformities, especially in the premaxilla area.

Mandibular premolar transplantation to replace missing maxillary anterior teeth: A multidisciplinary approach.

One of the most challenging problems for orthodontists is that of multiple missing maxillary teeth in a growing patient. In many patients, a good treatment option is autotransplantation. This case report describes the multidisciplinary treatment of an 11-year-old girl with regional odontodysplasia affecting the maxillary right and left central incisors, and congenitally missing maxillary left lateral incisor and canine. Autotransplantation of the mandibular second premolars to the affected area was combined with orthodontic space closure, and the transplanted premolars were reshaped and restored with a resin composite to be in line with the left central and lateral incisors. After completion of the orthodontic treatment, gingivectomy was performed to obtain an even gingival contour and symmetrical gingival tissue. Space closure of the maxillary anterior teeth was achieved. Autotransplantation enabled the patient to retain her natural teeth rather than having a prosthesis or dental implant. The autotransplanted tooth allows for alveolar bone growth in synchrony with neighboring teeth and the formation of normal interdental papilla while adapting to functional stimuli and confers a high survival rate in the long term.

Evaluation of Postorthodontic Changes in the Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate Patients Using the PAR Index.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dental changes in cleft patients after undergoing orthodontic treatment for at least 2 years. HYPOTHESIS: The dental change would decline significantly after 2 years of completing orthodontic treatment. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. PATIENT: Eighteen repaired cleft lip and palate patients from the Faculty of Dentistry, KhonKaen University, Thailand, participated in this study. MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES: A dental model with before treatment (T0), completed treatment (T1), and retention period (T2) data was analyzed using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index. RESULT: The results showed that the PAR score improved enormously after treatment; from T0 to T1, it was 34.00 ± 10.01 to 4.67 ± 2.47, and there was a reversion in the retention period. There was statistical significance between T0, T1, and T2, with P values <.001, .005, and <.001 when comparing T0 with T1, T1 with T2, and T0 with T2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Occlusion in cleft lip and palate patients changed from the time of completing treatment to the final results after the retention period. To sustain satisfactory results, orthodontists should plan carefully for the retention period before performing the treatment.

Evaluation of the Effects of Cheiloplasty on Maxillary Arch in UCLP Infants Using Three-Dimensional Digital Models.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and identify changes in the maxillary dental arch before and after cheiloplasty in a group of unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) infants. DESIGN: This is a cohort study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Study models from 16 infants with nonsyndromic UCLP, who were treated at Khon Kaen University, were taken before (T1) and after cheiloplasty (T2). The dental models underwent a process of scanning through a 3D scanner, from which 9 linear and 2 angular landmarks were evaluated. Paired t test was used to compare the measurement statistically between T1 and T2. RESULTS: Alveolar cleft gap (G-L), anterior basal angle (∠GC-CC'), and anterior arch curvature angle on greater segment (∠GIC) were significantly decreased (P < .05). Contrarily, anterior ridge length of greater segment (C-I), anterior ridge length of lesser segment (L-C'), and posterior arch width (T-T') were significantly increased (P < .05) after cheiloplasty. While, anterior portion of greater segment (I-G), anterior arch width (C-C'), anterior arch depth (I⊥CC'), arch length (G⊥TT'), and arch circumference (T-C-I-G-L-C'-T') showed no significant difference. The measurements were tested using the Intraclass correlation coefficient. The coefficients indicated high reliability. CONCLUSION: Cleft gap significantly decreased after lip repair, and the anterior part of maxillary dental arch was also bent palatally after cheiloplasty without any other intervention except cheiloplasty. More studies are needed to assess the amount of lip pressure. If any convincing force is presented, an appliance to prevent undesirable pressure is indicated.

Treatment of a severe Class II Division 1 malocclusion combined with surgical miniscrew anchorage.

This article reports the camouflage treatment of a female patient, aged 15 years 2 months, who had a Class II Division 1 malocclusion with severe anterior protrusion and deep incisor overbite. The camouflage treatment plan included bilateral extraction of the maxillary first premolars combined with the use of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) and tension coil springs to retract canines into the extraction spaces and then the 4 incisors. The treatment included use of a mandibular fixed labial arch with minimal use of Class II elastics to correct mild mandibular spacing and level the curve of Spee. Ideal overjet and overbite relationships were established, and the final result was well balanced and esthetically pleasing. The molars were finished in a Class II relationship. Total treatment time was 2 years 6 months. Cephalometric superimpositions revealed that mandibular molars were not disturbed by the limited use of Class II elastics. Surgical miniscrews in canine and incisor retraction in Class II Division 1 malocclusion are an alternate type of temporary anchorage that reduce or remove reliance on conventional intermaxillary anchorage.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Young Adolescent Orthodontic Cleft Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Thai patients with cleft lip and palate and to evaluate parents' and their children perceptions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) questionnaire was used to evaluate OHRQoL of the patients and parents' perceptions of patients' OHRQoL. The subjects consisted of 140 cleft patients (aged 8-15 years) and their parents who visited the Department of Orthodontics, Khon Kaen University. RESULTS: COHIP scores in cleft patients were relatively high. No statistically significant differences were found for overall and subscales COHIP scores between gender and age groups (aged 8-11 and 12-15 years) of patients. Comparison among cleft types, overall COHIP and functional well-being subscales scores showed statistically significant differences (p = 0.01 and p = 0.002, respectively). Cleft lip with or without alveolus (CL/A) had higher overall and functional well-being subscale scores than unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate patients (CLP). Only self-image subscale scores were statistically significant differences between patients and parents at p<0.001. CONCLUSION: Young and adolescent patients with cleft lip and palate had generally positive oral health-related quality of life. Impacts of gender and age of patients on OHRQoL were similar CL/A patients had more positive in overall oral health-related quality of life and functional well-being domains than CLP patients did. Parents had higher perceptions of self-image shown by their children than the children themselves.

Correlations between Cervical Vertebral Maturation (CVM) and Dental Development in Thai Cleft Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine correlations between cervical vertebral maturation stages (CVMs) and dental development stages, and cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stage 6 and completion of root formation of mandibular third molar in Thai cleft patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Lateral cephalograms of 366 cleft subjects aged 7-9 years were assessed for CVMs using Baccetti method. Calcication stages of all left mandibular teeth within each CVMs were assessed from panoramic films using Demirjian method. RESULTS: Spearman rank correlation coefficients comparing CVMs and teeth were 0.51-0.79 (p<0.001). Second molar had the highest and central incisor had the lowest correlations. In CVMs 6, 2.9% of third molars had completed root formation. However, only CVMs 6 could be predicted from third molar stage G that had a high likelihood ratio (30.94). CONCLUSION: Dental development was highly correlated with CVM in clefts. Third molar stage G could predict completed growth of mandible in individual patients, but it should be combined with other maturation indicators.

Orthodontic Treatment Combined with Orthognathic Surgery and Simultaneous Alveolar Bone Graft of a Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate Patient: A Case Report.

This article aimed to present a case of 22 year-old Thai female with cleft lip and palate who had malocclusion developed from dental problems, skeletal disharmony and unrepaired alveolar cleft. The treatment was orthodontic combined with one-stage surgical correction which corrected skeletal discrepancy and alveolar cleft in single operation. After treatment, the patient had improved in facial esthetics, attaining good occlusal function and continuous maxillary dental arch. This procedure can reduce morbidity, preclude a second hospitalization and the cost of two-stage surgical correction. However this is only an alternative treatment for adult cleft patients who need late alveolar bone graft and orthognathic surgery.

Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding Techniques for a Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Infant: A Case Report.

The purpose of this article was to present a modified protocol and devices of presurgical nasoalveolar molding techniques to improve deformity of lip, nose and alveolus at Department of Orthodontic, Khon Kaen University (KKU). This new protocol was developed in order to address nasal problems as early as possible with a new extra-oral type of nasal molding device, "forehead type of nasoalveolar molding device". Extra-oral strapping was applied to approximate lip segments and also help to reduce alveolar cleft rapidly. The remaining alveolar cleft was reduced till completely, using alveolar molding plate with traction screw. The forehead type of nasal molding device could be used continuously after cheiloplasty to maintain nasal configuration until the secondary palate repaired. A case of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate girl was presented to clearly demonstrate treatment steps and results of lips, nose and alveolus after being treated with this new presurgical nasoalveolar molding protocol and devices for a period of four months.

Evaluation of Facial Appearance among Patients With Repaired Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Comparison of Patient- and Clinician-Ratings of Satisfaction.

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of patient-satisfaction on facial and dental appearance compared with clinician ratings. Participants included 61 patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), aged 14-25 years. Raters comprised three cleft team clinicians. A Likert scale was used to assess the levels of satisfaction of the patients themselves and the clinicians. The results revealed that the patients were moderately satisfied with their appearance. Nose was the least satisfactory feature, followed by lip appearance. When compared to the clinician ratings, the patients were less satisfied with their own nose and lip, but more satisfied with teeth. Concerning age, self-assessment did not differ between adolescents and young adults. Females were less likely to be satisfied compared to males, but the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, patients with repaired UCLP were moderately satisfied with their facial and dental appearance. Clinician- and patient-opinions were different in some aspects. This study highlights the importance of patient satisfaction as a meaningful treatment outcome assessment, which could lead to an improvement in cleft care to meet the patient expectations.

Pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding technique: a literature review.

Cleft lip and palate patients have many defects particularly nasal deformities. The nasoalveolar molding (NAM) technique is an adjunctive treatment, which not only corrects deviated alveolar segments but also addresses nasal deformity before cheiloplasty. NAM technique is claimed to facilitate primary surgical correction and to provide favorable esthetic outcomes. However, there is limited evidence to confirm the special benefits ofNAM technique since so far there have been no truly long term controlled clinical trials to evaluate outcomes of treatment based on pre-surgical NAM technique. NAM technique can aid surgeons in their primary repairs ofnasal deformities but there should be concern about cost-risk benefits and ability ofparents to manage home care. Further studies based on properly designed and managed long-term clinical trials are still neededfor reaching consensus on special benefits ofNAM technique compared with other treatment protocols.

Prevalence and types of dental anomaly in a Thai non-syndromic oral cleft sample.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of dental anomalies (DAs); missing teeth (MT), dens-evaginatus (D-E), dens-invaginatus, dilaceration,fusion, gemination, macrodontia, microdontia (Micro), supernumerary teeth (SNT), and taurodontism, in permanent teeth among subjects with non-syndromic oral cleft. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This cross-sectional study was designed to assess DAs from diagnostic records; comprising panoramic radiograph, intraoral photographs, dental casts, and orthodontic clinic charts of 280 Northeastern Thai subjects, mean age 10.3 +/- 3.2 years. Chi-square test was used to compare DA prevalences among cleft phenotypes and genders. RESULTS: There were one or more teeth with DAs in 89.6% of the study population. Highest prevalence was MT (60.4%) followed by Micro (41.4%), dilaceration (6.4%), SNT (6.1%) , and 0.4% in D-E, fusion, gemination, and taurodontism. The most prevalent MT was found in 70.7% of subjects in bilateral cleft lip and palate group. CONCLUSION: The two predominant DAs were MT and Micro, higher prevalences being found with the more severe cleft conditions. The most affected teeth were cleft-site lateral incisors. There were no differences in distribution of DA in male and female.

Correction of complete maxillary crossbite with severe crowding using Hyrax expansion and fixed appliance.

An 18-year-old Thai man who presented with a secondary cleft palate, maxillary hypoplasia and severe crowding was treated by rapid maxillary expansion and fixed orthodontic appliances. Initial assessment found skeletal Class III malrelationship and dental Class II malocclusion with anterior and bilateral posterior crossbites. Camouflage orthodontic treatment was planned using a rapid maxillary expansion appliance and correcting crowding with extraction all four premolar teeth. A Hyrax appliance and vertical loop arch wire were placed for maxillary arch expansion of 9.5 mms at first molars and canines, and 5.5 mms at the premolars and obtained positive overjet. Both acceptable skeletal and soft tissue relationships and satisfactory occlusion were produced. After 14 months of postoperative follow-up, the occlusal result was stable and no skeletal reversals could be detected.

Management of bilateral severely impacted mandibular second molars: a case report.

Impaction of the mandibular second molar is relatively rare but when it occurs it may cause a clinical problem for orthodontist and oral surgeon. There are various treatment options to manage this condition depending on the degree of second molar inclination, the position of third molars, and the desired type of tooth movement. Here, a case of orthodontic uprighting of bilateral horizontal impaction of the lower second molars in a 17-years-old Thai female patient is presented. Correction of the impactions involved removal of the overlying third molars and use of full edgewise appliances with open NiTi-coil spring and super-elastic NiTi archwire.

Movement of an upper central incisor across the midline in a patient with cleft of primary palate.

Orthodontic treatment for a 10-years-old girl, with repaired bilateral cleft lip and left incomplete unilateral alveolar cleft, was performed by moving her right maxillary central incisor across the midline to replace her congenital missing central incisor and then moving the right lateral incisor toward the midline to act as a new central incisor. A malformed supernumerary tooth, positioned between the right central and lateral incisor, was extracted during incisor movement. Significant lip profile improvement was accomplished by maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth retraction into three-premolar extraction spaces. Not only natural functional occlusion, deviated midpalatal suture along the central incisor, and no obvious root resorption were obtained but also narrowing the alveolar bone cleft which was beneficial for bone continuity supporting dental structures, satisfactory results were possible for the patient with primary palate cleft.

Alveolar bone graft evaluation agreement using cone beam computed tomography in cleft lip and palate patients: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and test assessor agreement using a new cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination method for evaluating the outcome of alveolar bone grafts in cleft lip and palate patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty patients with complete cleft lip and cleft palate who had undergone alveolar bone grafting with CBCT follow-up 3-6 months postoperative at the Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University were recruited into the study. Four trained clinical assessors (two orthodontists, an oral surgeon and an oral radiologist) had made a judgment of three outcome measurements: 1) cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) to marginal bone level of the teeth adjacent to the cleft site, 2) marginal bone level to root apex of the teeth adjacent to the cleft site, 3) labio-lingual alveolar bone grafted thickness. Repeat measurements were made by the same assessors. RESULTS: The Kappa values of intra-assessor agreements of each assessor were 0.82, 0.91, 0.91 and 1, respectively, while the inter-assessor agreements for the first and second time of determinations were 0.81 and 0.74. CONCLUSION: This CBCT method for scoring alveolar bone graft outcomes produced good agreement among four assessors, which suggests its potential use to evaluate the success of alveolar bone grafting. In the future, this new method of alveolar bone graft evaluation should be compared with the standard method for testing validity.

Orthodontic treatment of unilateral cleft lip and alveolus patient with maxillary lateral incisor missing: case report.

The esthetics of a patient with a cleft lip and alveolus and missing maxillary lateral incisor is important. A girl, aged 9 years 3 months with repaired left unilateral cleft of primary palate only was referred for orthodontic evaluation of her anterior tooth-crowding. She was unhappy with the unattractive appearance of her maxillary anterior teeth, which were behind her mandibular anterior teeth. Alveolar bone grafting along with canine substitution to replace her missing lateral incisor were recommended for this patient. The post-treatment results were excellent with good occlusion, acceptable profile, and remained stable one year after conclusion of active treatment.

Growth modification in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients with face mask.

The intended aim of treatment in cleft lip and palate patients with growth modification is to improve the relation of jaws by advance the maxilla, restrict the mandible or combination of these. The appliances usually used are face mask or protraction headgear (Delaire and Petit types). Modification of growth is advocated to be applied before the end of adolescent growth spurt and long-term and permanent improvement cannot be guaranteed. Achieving the aim of growth modification is still controversial since most reported results of this treatment are dento-alveolar changes and backward rotation of the mandible that would not be considered to be growth modification.