The impact of orthognathic surgery on quality of life in individuals with oral clefts.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationships between individual, environmental, clinical factors and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) following orthognathic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A follow-up study was conducted involving 69 adults with unilateral and bilateral CLP under orthodontic treatment. Interviews and oral examinations were conducted prior to orthognathic surgery (T0) to evaluate age, gender, psychological well-being, dental caries, malocclusion, social support, social networks, family income and education and OHRQoL. All participants were reviewed after 6 months (T1) to re-assess psychological well-being, malocclusion and OHRQoL. Structural equation modeling estimated the associations between the variables. RESULTS: OHRQoL total scores reduced following orthognathic surgery, from 11.7 to 6.9 (P < 0.01). Occlusal characteristics and psychological well-being improved between T0 and T1. In the structural equation modeling, reduction of malocclusion (ß = 0.02) between T0 and T1 directly predicted poor OHRQoL at T1. Improvement of psychological well-being between T0 and T1 was associated with better OHRQoL at T1 (ß = -0.07). Dental caries and malocclusion at T0 were indirectly linked to poor OHRQoL at T1 (ß = 0.02). LIMITATIONS: The short follow-up period of 6 months after orthognathic surgery. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This represents the first prospective study examining the interrelationships of predictors of OHRQoL in patients with CLP after orthognathic surgery. OHRQoL and psychological well-being improved after orthognathic surgery. Clinical and psychological characteristics were important determinants of OHRQoL. These findings suggest the importance of the biopsychosocial model of health and the patient-centered approach in oral health care in individuals with CLP.

Evaluation of secondary alveolar bone grafting outcomes performed after canine eruption in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the results of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), operated after permanent canine eruption (CE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four periapical radiographs from patients with complete UCLP (mean age 14 years) submitted to SABG were retrospectively analyzed for the amount of bone in the cleft site through the Bergland and Chelsea scales. RESULTS: Of the cases, 47.3 % was classified as Bergland type I and Chelsea type A, 35.2 % as type II/C, 6.7 % as type III/D, and 10.8 % as type IV/failure. When the canine was moved into the grafted area, the success rate (type I/A) was 56.8 %; for cases in which the space was maintained for an implant or prosthetic finishing, the index was 45.8 %; however, this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Even in advanced ages, after permanent canine eruption, SABG can be considered a highly successful procedure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This research shows good results of secondary alveolar bone grafting performed in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate, even when it was performed after eruption of the permanent canine in the cleft area.

Prevalence of dental anomalies of number in different subphenotypes of isolated cleft palate.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at carrying out a radiographic analysis on the prevalence of dental anomalies of number (agenesis and supernumerary teeth) in permanent dentition, in different subphenotypes of isolated cleft palate preadolescent patients. METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of 300 patients aged between 9 and 12 years, with cleft palate and enrolled in a single treatment center, were retrospectively analyzed. The sample was divided into two groups according to the extension/severity of the cleft palate: complete and incomplete. The chi-square test was used for intergroup comparison regarding the prevalence of the investigated dental anomalies (P<0.05). RESULTS: Agenesis was found in 34.14% of patients with complete cleft palate and in 30.27% of patients with incomplete cleft palate. Supernumerary teeth were found in 2.43% of patients with complete cleft palate and in 0.91% of patients with incomplete cleft palate. No statistically significant difference was found between groups with regard to the prevalence of agenesis and supernumerary teeth. There was no difference in cleft prevalence between genders within each study group. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental anomalies of number in preadolescents with cleft palate was higher than that reported for the general population. The severity of cleft palate did not seem to be associated with the prevalence of dental anomalies of number.

Relationship between occlusion and lisping in children with cleft lip and palate.

INTRODUCTION: The literature suggests that individuals with history of cleft lip and palate who present with midfacial growth deficiency are at higher risk of presenting lisping. The relationship between distortions during production of linguoalveolar fricative sounds and the severity of malocclusion, however, has not been established for the population with cleft. OBJECTIVE: To study the association between lisping and dental arch relationship. METHODOLOGY: Speech samples and dental arch casts were obtained from 106 children with operated unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) during the stage of mixed dentition and before orthodontic treatment. Videotaped productions of the phrase /u saci saiw sedu/ were rated by speech-language pathologists for the identification of lisping during [s]. Dental arch casts were rated by orthodontists using the Goslon Yardstick and the Five-Year Index to establish dental arch relationship. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression showed no significant association between lisping and dento-occlusal index (p  =  .802) and age (p  =  .662). Substantial interjudge agreement during auditory-perceptual ratings was found (kappa  =  .63). Almost perfect agreement was found between orthodontists while establishing the dental arch relationship (kappa  =  .81). DISCUSSION: This study failed to reveal an association between lisping and dental arch relationship in children with operated UCLP. Multiple variables may play a role in determining occurrence of lisping, warranting further investigation.