Undergraduate dental students and dentists' acceptability and knowledge about selective caries tissue removal / Aceitabilidade e conhecimento sobre remoção seletiva de tecido cariado de graduandos em odontologia e cirurgiões-dentistas

Objetivo: Avaliar a aceitabilidade e o conhecimento de estudantes de graduação em Odontologia e cirurgiões-dentistas sobre a remoção seletiva de tecido cariado (RSTC). Materiais e Métodos: Participaram do estudo graduandos do terceiro e quarto ano de Odontologia (Grupo 1) e egressos de um Centro Hospitalar de Odontologia (Grupo 2). Os participantes responderam de forma anônima e confidencial um questionário validado contendo onze questões sobre diagnóstico e manejo de lesões cariosas profundas. Teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e regressão logística multivariada foram aplicados (p<0.05). Resultados: A amostra total foi composta por 146 participantes. Destes, 81.5% eram do sexo feminino; 52.05% eram graduados e a faixa etária mais prevalente foi de 18 a 29 anos (85.62%). Sessenta e nove participantes escolheram o tratamento expectante (p=0.027). A análise de regressão logística mostrou diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Os participantes que consideraram a parede pulpar úmida têm aproximadamente oito vezes mais chances de escolha pelo tratamento invasivo (p=0.028). Aqueles que escolheram o tratamento endodôntico como opção de sobrevida em dois anos têm três vezes mais chances de optar pelo tratamento invasivo (p=0.032). Aqueles que afirmaram que a dentina cariada próxima à polpa não deveria ser removida tiveram quase três vezes mais chances de optar por tratamentos minimamente invasivos (p=0.031). Discussão: Estudos com questionários podem ser ferramentas úteis para detectar se estudantes e cirurgiões-dentistas estão seguindo as evidências mais atuais para o tratamento de lesões cariosas profundas. Conclusão: Os participantes tinham certo nível de conhecimento sobre RSTC, mas a aceitabilidade da técnica carecia de consenso.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and knowledge of undergraduate dental students and dentists on selective caries tissue removal (SCTR). Materials and Methods: Third- and fourth-year Dentistry undergraduates (Group 1) and graduates working in a Hospital Dentistry Center (Group 2) were included in the study. Participants anonymously and confidentially answered a validated questionnaire containing eleven questions on the diagnosis and management of deep caries lesions. Pearson's Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression compared the answers (p<0.05). Results: Total sample comprised 146 participants. Of these, 81.5% were female; 52.05% were graduates and the most prevalent age group was 18-29 years old (85.62%). Sixty-nine participants chose stepwise caries removal (p=0.027). The logistic regression analysis showed statistically significant differences. The participants who considered pulp wall moist have approximately eight times more likelihood to choose an invasive treatment (p=0.028). Those who chose endodontic treatment as an option for two-year survival have three times more likelihood to choose an invasive treatment (p=0.032). Those who affirmed that the carious dentin close to the pulp should not be removed had almost three times more likelihood to choose minimally invasive treatments (p=0.031). Discussion: Studies with questionnaires can be useful tools to detect whether the students and dentists are following the most current evidences to treat deep carious lesions. Conclusion: The participants had certain level of knowledge on SCTR, but the technique acceptability lacked consensus.

Current Perspectives on Cleft Lip and Palate and Children's Health.

Orofacial clefts are the most prevalent craniofacial congenital anomalies, affecting the lip, with or without involvement of the palate, or solely the palate [...].

Customized Tray for Impression Taking in Children With Cleft Lip and Palate.

The assessment of rehabilitation outcomes requires a patient documentation protocol, including records obtained at standardized ages, to compare different types of surgeries, their effects, as well as between different rehabilitation centers. The aim of this paper was to present proper trays for babies with different types of cleft lip and palate, which are used in the outpatient routine at Hospital of Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies/USP (HRAC/USP). The customized trays are made with self-curing acrylic resin. The tray must have suitable depth to copy the buccal sulcus, and wax is usually applied to contour the tray edge, and the adjustment of the tray to the fornix, making the tray specific for each child. The impression precludes the utilization of dental casts for diagnosis, treatment plan, and research measurements. In the clinical practice at HRAC-USP, it was observed that customized trays increased the quality of impression, accurately reproducing anatomical features of dental arches of babies with oral clefts.

Research on Cleft Lip and Palate: What Is New?

Craniofacial development begins during the fourth week of intrauterine life (IUL) [...].

Surgical effects of rehabilitation protocols on dental arch occlusion of children with cleft lip and palate

Aim: to evaluate the surgical effects of two rehabilitation protocols on dental arch occlusion of 5-year-old children with or without cleft lip and palate. Methods: this is a retrospective longitudinal study the sample comprised 45 digitized dental casts divided into followed groups: Group 1 (G1) ­ children who underwent to cheiloplasty (Millard technique) at 3 months and to one-stage palatoplasty (von Langenbeck technique) at 12 months; Group 2 (G2) ­ children who underwent to cheiloplasty (Millard technique) and two-stage palatoplasty (Hans Pichler technique for hard palate closure) at 3 months and at 12 months to soft palate closure (Sommerlad technique); and Group 3 (G3) ­ children without craniofacial anomalies. Linear measurements, area, and occlusion were evaluated by stereophotogrammetry software. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to verify normality. ANOVA followed by posthoc Tukey test and Kruskal-Wallis followed by posthoc Dunn tests were used to compared groups. Results: For the measures intercanine distance (C-C'), anterior length of dental arch (I-CC'), and total length of the dental arch (I­MM'), there were statistical differences between G1x G3 and G2xG3, the mean was smaller for G1 and G2. No statistically significant differences occurred in the intermolar distance and in the dental arch area among groups. The occlusion analysis revealed significant difference in the comparison of the three groups (p=0.0004). Conclusion: The surgical effects of two rehabilitation protocols affected the occlusion and the development of the anterior region of the maxilla of children with oral clefts when compared to children without oral clefts.

A Narrative Review on Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tools for the Analysis of Dental Arches in Orofacial Cleft Patients.

BACKGROUND: It is necessary to analyze and monitor the facial growth of orofacial cleft patients. The documentation should therefore begin before and after primary surgeries. Technological evolution has transformed plaster models into 3D images through scanners that allow rational storage, manipulation, and rotation without the possibility of breakage or damage. Based on this fact, this narrative review aims to provide a feature on the three-dimensional tools available for the assessment of dental arches in children with orofacial cleft and mixed dentition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three databases were chosen (PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus) and keywords were used to select papers. RESULTS: During the database screening, 292 potentially relevant papers were found. After removing duplicates, titles, and abstracts, 32 papers presented qualifications for analysis. Through evaluating each document by reading it one by one, 24 papers fulfilled the eligibility criteria. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that digital tools-i.e., benchtop scanners which evaluate the dental arches of children with cleft lip, palate, and mixed dentition-are reproducible and reliable, without the use of ionizing radiation, allow storage, manipulation with sustainability, and help preserve the environment.

Six-year post-surgical evaluation in the treatment protocols in the dental arches of children with oral cleft: longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: Oral cleft surgical repairs are performed using different techniques worldwide. To evaluate and compare the development of the dental arches of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate before and after the primary surgeries performed with different techniques at the first months and six years of life. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective longitudinal study. The sample comprised 56 dental casts divided int the following groups: Group 1 (G1) - cheiloplasty (Millard technique) at three months and one-step palatoplasty (von Langenbeck technique) at 12 months; and Group 2 (G2) - cheiloplasty (Millard technique) and two-step palatoplasty: anterior hard palate closure (Hans Pichler technique) at three months and posterior soft palate closure (Sommerlad technique) at 12 months. The digitized dental casts were evaluated at three months - pre-surgical (T1) and six years of life- post-surgical (T2). The following linear measurements were analyzed: intercanine (C-C'), intertuberosity (T-T') distances; anterior dental arch (I-CC'), anterior intersegment (I-C'), and total arch (I-TT') lengths. The palate area was also measured. Parametric and non-parametric tests were applied (p<0.05). RESULTS: In G1, the intragroup comparison showed statistically significant smaller I-CC' and I-C' at T2 (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), while T-T', I-TT', and area comparisons were significantly greater (p<0.001, p=0.002, and p<0.001, respectively). In G2, the intragroup comparison exhibited statistically significant smaller C-C' and I-C' at T2 (p=0.004, for both), whereas T-T', I-TT' and area comparisons were significantly greater (p<0.001, p=0.004, and p<0.001, respectively). At T2, the intergroup analysis revealed that G1 had a statistically significant smaller I-CC' (p=0.014). The analysis of the intergroup differences (∆=T2-T1) showed that G1 had a statistically smaller I-CC' (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: The two-step palatoplasty showed a more favorable prognosis for the maxillary growth than one-step palatoplasty in children with oral clefts.

Evaluation of cheiloplasty and palatoplasty on palate surface area in children with oral clefts: longitudinal study.

This study evaluated the palatal surface area in children with different oral clefts after primary surgeries and at five years of age. This longitudinal study was composed by 216 digital models: unilateral complete cleft lip (UCL), unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP), and complete cleft palate (CP). The models were analysed at four time periods: T1 (before cheiloplasty), T2 (before palatoplasty), T3 (after palatoplasty); and T4 - (at five years of age). Area of the dental arches was measured through stereophotogrammetry software. Measurements evaluated with Student's test and ANOVA followed by the Tukey test (p<0.05) (AQ 1). In the UCL group, the palatal surface area significantly increased among phases. In the primary surgery periods, UCLP and CP significantly decreased (p<0.001). Palatal area in the UCLP group was significantly greater than the CP group. Overall, no statistically significant differences occurred among groups. At T4, the area of the palate in the UCL group was significantly greater than the UCLP group and no significant differences occurred between UCLP and CP groups. This study suggests that cheiloplasty did not inhibit the growth of the palatal surface area in children with UCL and UCLP. Palatoplasty significantly decreased the palatal area in children with UCLP and CP, demonstrating a significant negative effect of palatal repair on maxillary growth. At five years, children with UCLP and CP had a significantly smaller palate area than those with UCL.

3D morphometric evaluation of the dental arches in children with cleft lip and palate submitted to different surgical techniques.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare dimensional alterations of dental arches in children with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate before and after different techniques of primary plastic surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was divided into two groups: group 1-cheiloplasty by Millard's technique and one-stage palatoplasty by von Langenbeck's technique; group 2-cheiloplasty by Millard's technique and two-stage palatoplasty: anterior palatoplasty by Hans Pichler's technique and posterior palatoplasty by Sommerlad's technique. Dental arches were evaluated before (T1), after the first phase (T2), and 1 year after the second phase (T3) of primary surgeries. Linear measurements and palatal area were assessed. To analyze the method's error, interclass correlation coefficient was applied. ANOVA (followed by Tukey test), dependent, and independent t-test were used (p < 0.05). RESULTS: At T1, the intertuberosity distance was statistically greater in G2 (p = 0.004). At T2, the anterior length of the dental arch was statistically greater in G2 (p = 0.025), while the area of the smaller palatal segment (p = 0.001), cleft area (p = 0.014), and total area (p = 0.002) were statistically smaller in G2. At T3, the intertuberosity distance was statistically greater in G2 (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that cheiloplasty and one-stage palatoplasty resulted in smaller growth of maxilla than cheiloplasty and two-stage palatoplasty in the linear measurements (T-T' and I-CC') and total area of the dental arches. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgical protocols need to be evaluated to verify their effects aiming at improving the clinical practice of the interdisciplinary team, determining new parameters for the rehabilitation of individuals with cleft lip and palate.

Six-year post-surgical evaluation in the treatment protocols in the dental arches of children with oral cleft: longitudinal study

Abstract Oral cleft surgical repairs are performed using different techniques worldwide. Objective To evaluate and compare the development of the dental arches of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate before and after the primary surgeries performed with different techniques at the first months and six years of life. Methodology This is a retrospective longitudinal study. The sample comprised 56 dental casts divided int the following groups: Group 1 (G1) - cheiloplasty (Millard technique) at three months and one-step palatoplasty (von Langenbeck technique) at 12 months; and Group 2 (G2) - cheiloplasty (Millard technique) and two-step palatoplasty: anterior hard palate closure (Hans Pichler technique) at three months and posterior soft palate closure (Sommerlad technique) at 12 months. The digitized dental casts were evaluated at three months - pre-surgical (T1) and six years of life- post-surgical (T2). The following linear measurements were analyzed: intercanine (C-C'), intertuberosity (T-T') distances; anterior dental arch (I-CC'), anterior intersegment (I-C'), and total arch (I-TT') lengths. The palate area was also measured. Parametric and non-parametric tests were applied (p<0.05). Results In G1, the intragroup comparison showed statistically significant smaller I-CC' and I-C' at T2 (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), while T-T', I-TT', and area comparisons were significantly greater (p<0.001, p=0.002, and p<0.001, respectively). In G2, the intragroup comparison exhibited statistically significant smaller C-C' and I-C' at T2 (p=0.004, for both), whereas T-T', I-TT' and area comparisons were significantly greater (p<0.001, p=0.004, and p<0.001, respectively). At T2, the intergroup analysis revealed that G1 had a statistically significant smaller I-CC' (p=0.014). The analysis of the intergroup differences (∆=T2-T1) showed that G1 had a statistically smaller I-CC' (p=0.043). Conclusion The two-step palatoplasty showed a more favorable prognosis for the maxillary growth than one-step palatoplasty in children with oral clefts.

Evaluation of palatal volume in children with cleft lip and palate: a comparison of two surgical protocols / Avaliação volumétrica do palato em crianças com fissura labiopalatina: comparação de dois protocolos cirúrgicos

Objective: Compare the palatal volume in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate before and after two surgical protocols. Material and Methods: Retrospective data collection was performed in a specialized hospital. The sample comprised 120 digitized dental models divided into, Group 1 (G1) ­ participants submitted to cheiloplasty at 3 months (Millard technique) and one-step palatoplasty at 12 months (von Langenbeck technique); Group 2 (G2) ­ participants submitted to cheiloplasty (Millard technique) and hard palate closure (Hans Pichler technique) at 3 months and soft palate closure at 12 months (Sommerlad technique). The dental models were evaluated at Time 1 (T1): before primary plastic surgeries, Time 2 (T2): 1st post-surgical phase, and Time 3 (T3): 2nd post-surgical phase. The volume was measured through stereophotogrammetry system software. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were applied (α=5%). Results: The intragroup analysis revealed that G1 had a statistically significant increase in volume at T2 followed by a reduction at T3 (p=0.003); G2 showed a statistically significant increase of dental arch volume between T1 and T2 (p=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the intergroup and gender analyses (p>0.05). Conclusion: The surgical protocol influenced the palatal volume of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate. This study suggested that two-step palatoplasty protocol has a tendency to be more appropriate.(AU)

Objetivo: Comparar o volume palatino em crianças com fissura unilateral de lábio e palato antes e após dois protocolos cirúrgicos. Material e Métodos: A coleta de dados retrospectiva foi efetuada em um hospital especializado. A amostra foi composta por 120 modelos dentários digitalizados divididos em, Grupo 1 (G1) ­ participantes submetidos a queiloplastia aos 3 meses de vida (técnida de Millard) e a palatoplastia em única etapa aos 12 meses (técnica de von Langenbeck); Grupo 2 (G2) ­ participantes submetidos a queiloplastia (técnica de Millard) e fechamento do palato duro (técnica de Hans Pichler) aos 3 meses de vida e fechamento do palate mole aos 12 meses (técnica de Sommerlad). Os modelos dentários foram avaliados em Tempo 1 (T1): antes das cirurgias plásticas primárias, Tempo 2 (T2):1ª fase pós-cirúrgica e Tempo 3 (T3): 2ª fase pós-cirúrgico. O volume foi mensurado por meio do software do sistema de estereofotogrametria. Testes estatísticos paramétricos e não-paramétricos foram utilizados (α=5%). Resultados: As análises intragrupos indicaram que G1 apresentou aumento estatisticamente significante em T2 seguido de redução em T3 (p=0.003). G2 apresentou crescimento estatisticamente significativo do volume palatino entre T1 e T2 (p=0.001). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante nas análises intergrupos e entre gêneros (p>0.05). Conclusão: O protocolo cirúrgico influenciou o volume palatino das crianças com fissura unilateral de lábio e palato. Este estudo sugeriu que o protocolo da palatoplastia em duas etapas possui uma tendência de ser mais apropriado.(AU)

Salivary proteomic profile of dogs with and without dental calculus.

BACKGROUND: Dogs' saliva is a complex mixture of inorganic and organic constituents, rich in proteins. Therefore, knowing the saliva composition of these animals is extremely important to identify the presence of proteins that may be involved in physiological and pathological mechanisms of their oral cavity. The present study aimed to characterize the proteomic profile of saliva from dogs with and without dental calculus. RESULTS: Saliva samples were collected from 20 dogs. Before the collection, a visual clinical examination was performed and 8 subjects (40%) did not present any signs of dental calculus, while 12 (60%) presented dental calculus. After saliva collection, the samples were submitted to protein quantification (mBCA), and then they were prepared for analysis by nLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 658 unique proteins were identified, of which 225 were specific to dogs without dental calculus, 300 were specific to dogs with dental calculus, and 133 were common to all subjects. These proteins presented functions including transportation, immune response, structural, enzymatic regulation, signal transduction, transcription, metabolism, and some proteins perform functions as yet unknown. Several salivary proteins in dogs with dental calculus differed from those found in the group without dental calculus. Among the abundant proteins detected in periodontal affected cases, can be highlighting calcium-sensing receptor and transforming growth factor beta. Enrichment analysis reveled the presence of Rho GTPases signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This research identified salivary proteins, that should be further investigated as potencial biomarkers of chronic periodontits with dental calculus formation in dogs.

A Biobank of Stem Cells of Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth: Overview of Applications and Developments in Brazil.

A biobank is an organized collection of biological human material and its associated information stored for research according to regulations under institutional responsibility, without commercial purposes, being a mandatory and strategical activity for research, regenerative medicine, and innovation. Stem cells have largely been employed in research and frequently stored in biobanks, which have been used as an essential source of biological materials. Stem cells of human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are stem cells which have a high multipotency and can be easily obtained. Besides, this extremely accessible tissue has advantages with respect to storage, as the SHED obtained in childhood can be used in later life, which implies the necessity for the creation and regulation of biobanks. The proper planning for the creation of a biobank includes knowledge of the material types to be stored, requirements regarding handling and storage conditions, storage time, and room for the number of samples. Thus, this study aimed to establish an overview of the development of a SHED biobank. Ethical and legal standardization, current applications, specific orientations, and challenges for the implementation of a SHED biobank were discussed. Through this overview, we hope to encourage further studies to use SHED biobanks.

Diagnóstico diferencial e conduta clínica de um cisto folicular inflamatório mandibular / Differential diagnosis and management of inflammatory follicular cyst in mandibular anterior area

Este artigo descreve a dificuldade em diagnosticar um cisto folicular inflamatório na área anterior da mandíbula em um menino com dentinogênese imperfeita tipo I (DI-1). Um menino de 6 anos de idade, com DI-1, procurou tratamento devido ao comprometimento estético. O exame radiográfico revelou uma lesão periapical envolvendo os dentes decíduos incisivo central e lateral direitos. Esses dentes foram extraídos sem intercorrências. Após três meses, a criança se queixou de dor em um edema de cor azulada na mesma área. O diagnóstico diferencial foi de cisto folicular e a lesão foi acompanhada. Como os sinais e sintomas persistiram, o tratamento de escolha foi a descompressão da lesão, seguido por irrigação abundante e curetagem das paredes da lesão. O acompanhamento clínico e radiográfico, mostrou, após 6 meses, remissão da lesão, reparo ósseo, e erupção ativa dos incisivos permanentes. As características incomuns deste caso, fizeram com que o diagnóstico de cisto folicular inflamatório fosse dificultado.

This article reports the difficulties in diagnosing an inflammatory follicular cyst in the mandibular anterior area of a boy with type 1 dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI-1). A 6-year-old boy, with DI-1, sought treatment due to esthetic complaints. The radiographic examination revealed a periapical lesion involving the right primary central and lateral incisors. These teeth were extracted with no complications. After three months, the boy complained of pain in a blue-black edema in the same area. The differential diagnosis was of follicular cyst and the lesion was followed-up. As the signs and symptoms persisted, the treatment of choice was to decompress the lesion, followed by copious irrigation, and lesion's wall curettage. After six months, the clinical and radiographic follow-up showed lesion remission, bone repair, and active eruption of permanent incisors. The uncommon characteristics of the case make the diagnosis of inflammatory follicular cyst difficult.

Analysis of Dental Arch in Children With Oral Cleft Before and After the Primary Surgeries.

This study aimed to evaluate longitudinally the alteration of the dental arch dimensions of children with different oral cleft types, before and after the primary surgeries. Three-dimensional images of the maxillary dental casts of children with unilateral complete cleft lip (G1), unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (G2), and cleft palate (G3). The children were evaluated at pre-cheiloplasty (T1), pre-palatoplasty (T2), and 1 year after palatoplasty (T3). The measurements obtained: intercanine (C-C') and intertuberosity (T-T') distances, anterior (I-CC') and total (I-TT') arch lengths. To analyze the intraexaminer error, paired t-test was applied and Dahlbergh formula. The intragroups comparisons were applied: paired t-test, ANOVA followed by Tukey, Wilcoxon test, and Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn test. The intergroup comparisons were performed by independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test. In G1, the C-C', T-T', and the I-TT' distances revealed a significant increase of the maxilla. In G2, the C-C' distance statistically decreased from T1 to T3, T-T' distance showed statistical increase from T1 to T3. The I-TT' length increased with statistically significant differences between T1 and T3, T2 and T3. In G3, the C-C', T-T', and I-TT' distance increased was statistically significant. The longitudinal evaluation of the changes occurred in the dental arches with different oral cleft types showed that cheiloplasty and palatoplasty caused the most alterations in the development of the maxillary dimensions of children with complete cleft lip and palate.

Anthropometric Analysis of the Dental Arches of Five-Year-Old Children With Cleft Lip and Palate.

This study aimed to analyze the dimensional alterations of the dental arches of 5-year-old children with cleft lip and palate and to compare these dimensions with children without oral clefts. One hundred twenty children were divided into the following groups: unilateral cleft lip (UCL), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), cleft palate (CP), and control (C). A specific software was used to digitize the dental casts and perform the anthropometric analyses through the measurement of transversal linear intercanine and intermolar distances on the maxilla and mandible. The intergroup comparisons of the maxillary dimensions exhibited that the intercanine distances of groups C and UCL were statistically greater than that of groups UCLP and CP. The intermolar distance was significantly smaller in group UCLP than in the other groups. No statistically significant difference occurred in the mandibular intercanine and intermolar distance among groups. The analysis of the superposition of the maxillary over the mandibular transversal distances showed statistically significant differences among groups. This study showed that at 5-year old, the children with cleft involving the palate had more maxillary dimensional alterations than those without cleft palate.

Oral health-related quality of life of children with oral clefts and their families.

Oral health problems can influence people's Quality of Life (QoL) because of pain, discomfort, limitations, and other esthetics problems, affecting their social life, feeding, daily activities, and the individual's well-being. To compare oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children with and without oral clefts and their families. 121 children aged from 2 to 6 years, from both sexes, enrolled in the treatment routine of the Pediatric Dentistry Clinics of a Dental School and a Hospital for Cleft Treatment were divided into two groups: Group 1 - children with cleft lip and palate; Group 2 - children without cleft lip and palate. The OHRQoL was assessed using the validated Portuguese version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). The questionnaire was answered individually, only once, at a private place. Mann-Whitney U test was used to verify differences between groups. Spearman's Rho test was used to associate sex and age with quality of life. The level of significance was set at 5% (p<0.05). According to the parents' perception on the OHRQoL of children with and without cleft lip and palate, oral health of children with oral clefts (Group 1) had a statistically significant impact on OHRQoL. The correlation of sex with impact on OHRQoL did not show statistically significant differences. On the other hand, the higher the age the higher the impact on QoL. The group comparison revealed that the cleft lip and palate negatively impacted on OHRQoL of 2 to 6-year-old children and their parents.

Oral health-related quality of life of children with oral clefts and their families

Abstract Oral health problems can influence people's Quality of Life (QoL) because of pain, discomfort, limitations, and other esthetics problems, affecting their social life, feeding, daily activities, and the individual's well-being. Objective: To compare oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children with and without oral clefts and their families. Materials and Methods: 121 children aged from 2 to 6 years, from both sexes, enrolled in the treatment routine of the Pediatric Dentistry Clinics of a Dental School and a Hospital for Cleft Treatment were divided into two groups: Group 1 - children with cleft lip and palate; Group 2 - children without cleft lip and palate. The OHRQoL was assessed using the validated Portuguese version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). The questionnaire was answered individually, only once, at a private place. Mann-Whitney U test was used to verify differences between groups. Spearman's Rho test was used to associate sex and age with quality of life. The level of significance was set at 5% (p<0.05). Results: According to the parents' perception on the OHRQoL of children with and without cleft lip and palate, oral health of children with oral clefts (Group 1) had a statistically significant impact on OHRQoL. The correlation of sex with impact on OHRQoL did not show statistically significant differences. On the other hand, the higher the age the higher the impact on QoL. Conclusions: The group comparison revealed that the cleft lip and palate negatively impacted on OHRQoL of 2 to 6-year-old children and their parents.

3D analysis of effects of primary surgeries in cleft lip/palate children during the first two years of life.

This study aimed at monitoring the maxillary growth of children with cleft lip/palate in the first two years of life, and to evaluate the effects of primary surgeries on dental arch dimensions. The sample consisted of the three-dimensional digital models of 25 subjects with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and 29 subjects with isolated cleft palate (CP). Maxillary arch dimensions were measured at 3 months (before lip repair), 1 year (before palate repair), and at 2 years of age. Student's ttest was used for comparison between the groups. Repeated measures ANOVA followed by Tukey's test was used to compare different treatment phases in the UCLP group. Paired ttest was used to compare different treatment phases in the CP group. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Decreased intercanine distance and anterior arch length were observed after lip repair in UCLP. After palate repair, maxillary dimensions increased significantly, except for the intercanine distance in UCLP and the intertuberosity distance in both groups. At the time of palate repair and at two years of age, the maxillary dimensions were very similar in both groups. It can be concluded that the maxillary arches of children with UCLP and CP changed as a result of primary surgery.

3D analysis of effects of primary surgeries in cleft lip/palate children during the first two years of life

Abstract This study aimed at monitoring the maxillary growth of children with cleft lip/palate in the first two years of life, and to evaluate the effects of primary surgeries on dental arch dimensions. The sample consisted of the three-dimensional digital models of 25 subjects with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and 29 subjects with isolated cleft palate (CP). Maxillary arch dimensions were measured at 3 months (before lip repair), 1 year (before palate repair), and at 2 years of age. Student’s ttest was used for comparison between the groups. Repeated measures ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test was used to compare different treatment phases in the UCLP group. Paired ttest was used to compare different treatment phases in the CP group. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Decreased intercanine distance and anterior arch length were observed after lip repair in UCLP. After palate repair, maxillary dimensions increased significantly, except for the intercanine distance in UCLP and the intertuberosity distance in both groups. At the time of palate repair and at two years of age, the maxillary dimensions were very similar in both groups. It can be concluded that the maxillary arches of children with UCLP and CP changed as a result of primary surgery.