ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate soft tissue characteristics in individuals with cleft lip and palate and the degree of satisfaction of these individuals after rehabilitation. SETTING: Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, Brazil. PATIENTS: Forty-five individuals with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, aged 15 to 30 years. INTERVENTIONS: One hundred thirty-five frontal facial photographs were obtained at rest and in natural and forced smile. Specialists in periodontics evaluated the soft tissue characteristics. Both patients and specialists evaluated the smiles and scored them as esthetically unpleasant, acceptable, or pleasant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of the cleft area with the contralateral region was performed for evaluation of soft tissue. The results of the degree of satisfaction with smile were expressed as percentages and means. The findings between patients and periodontists experienced or inexperienced with cleft care were compared. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed for alveolar process deficiency and absence of papilla in the esthetic area between groups (p < .05). Results show 84.4% of individuals considered their smile as esthetically pleasant. Specialists in periodontics of both groups scored the natural smile and forced smile as esthetically acceptable. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean of patients compared with both groups of specialists in periodontics (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation and knowledge of the soft tissue characteristics is extremely important for successful rehabilitation. The esthetic values and degree of patient satisfaction are essential for treatment success, since smile reconstruction should be esthetically pleasant to the patient.
