Influence of scanbody design and intraoral scanner on the trueness of complete arch implant digital impressions: An in vitro study.

This study aimed to compare the accuracy of full-arch digital implant impressions using seven different scanbodies and four intraoral scanners. A 3D-printed maxillary model with six implants and their respective multi-unit abutments was used for this study. Seven scanbodies (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, SB5, SB6, and SB7) and four intraoral scanners (Primescan®, Omnican®, Trios 3®, and Trios 4®) were assessed. Each combination group was scanned ten times and a dental lab scanner (D2000, 3Shape) was used as a reference. All scans were exported as STL files, imported into Convince software (3Shape) for alignment, and later into Blender software, where their 3D positions were analyzed using a Python script. The 3D deviation, angular deviation, and linear distance between implants #3 and #14 were also measured. Accuracy was measured in terms of "trueness" (scanbody 3D deviation between intraoral scan and desktop scan). Kruskal-Wallis followed by the Bonferroni correction was used to analyze the data (⍺ = .05). The study found statistically significant differences in digital impression accuracy among the scanners and scanbodies (p<0.001). When comparing different intraoral scanners, the Primescan system showed the smallest 3D deviation (median 110.59 µm) and differed statistically from the others, while Trios 4 (median 122.35 µm) and Trios 3 (median 130.62 µm) did not differ from each other (p = .284). No differences were found in the linear distance between implants #3 and #14 between Trios 4, Primescan, and Trios 3 systems. When comparing different scanbodies, the lowest median values for 3D deviation were obtained by SB2 (72.27µm) and SB7 (93.31µm), and they did not differ from each other (p = .116). The implant scanbody and intraoral scanner influenced the accuracy of digital impressions on completely edentulous arches.

Long-term Outcome for Two-Stage Palatal Closure With Different Timings for Hard Palate Surgery: Craniofacial Growth and Dental Arch Relation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate dental arch relation and craniofacial growth for individuals born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), who had two-stage palatal surgery, with hard palate closure (HPC) at the ages of 3 or 8 years. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Ceft lip and palate team in Gothenburg, Sweden. PATIENTS: The inclusion criteria were nonsyndromic individuals born with complete UCLP who were consecutively operated according to two different surgical protocols; soft palate closure at 6 months followed by hard palate closure at the age of 3 years (HPC3) or at the age of 8 years (HPC8). In this evaluation, 28 individuals had HPC3 and 59 individuals had HPC8. INTERNVENTIONS: The main outcome, longitudinal series of dental casts and lateral radiographs from the ages of 5, 10, 16, and 19 years, were evaluated using GOSLON Yardstick and cephalometric analysis. RESULTS: At the age of 10 years, 78% of the individuals with HPC3 demonstrated GOSLON scores of 1 and 2 and 86% in HPC8. At the age of 19 years, 54% of the individuals exhibited GOSLON scores of 1or 2 when compared with 74% in HPC8. A statistical significant difference for SNA was observed at the age of 5 years (P = .004), with a lower SNA in HPC3, but not at the ages of 10, 16 and 19 years. At the final age, SNA was 75.2° for HPC3 and 76.8° for HPC8. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in age for HPC did not have an adverse effect on long-term dental arch relationship or craniofacial growth.

Occlusal Evaluation Using Modified Huddart and Bodenham Scoring System Following 2-Stage Palatoplasty With Hotz Plate: A Comparison Among 3 Different Surgical Protocols.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if the change in technique of soft palate closure or timing of hard palatal repair induced occlusal changes in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTINGS: A medical and dental hospital in Japan. SUBJECTS: A total of 96 patients with CUCLP treated with 2-stage palatoplasty were included in the study and categorized into 3 groups (G1, G2, and G3) according to the protocol used. INTERVENTIONS: G1 underwent soft palate repair using Perko method at 1.5 years of age and hard palate repair using vomer flap procedure at 5.5 years of age. Furlow method was used for soft palate repair in G2 at 1.5 years of age and hard palate repair using vomer flap procedure at 5.5 years of age. The Furlow method was used to repair the soft palate in G3 at 1.5 years of age and vomer flap procedure was used to repair the hard palate at 4 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two evaluators assessed the dental arch relationship using the modified Huddart/Bodenham (mHB) index on 2 separate occasions. RESULTS: Intra- (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.962) and inter-examiner (ICC: 0.950) reliability showed very good agreement. The frequency of crossbite present in the major and minor segments gradually decreased with each change in protocol. Mean segmental scores showed no significant difference between 3 protocols (P > .05). Good inter-arch alignment occurred with all 3 surgical protocols (G1:82.6%, G2:89.8%, and G3:91.7%). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the dental arch relationship outcomes between the 3 surgical protocols. The dentition status was comparable with all surgical protocols, even after the changes.

Accuracy of photogrammetric imaging versus conventional impressions for complete arch implant-supported fixed dental prostheses: A comparative clinical study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Clinical studies on the accuracy of the photogrammetric imaging technique for complete arch implant-supported fixed dental prostheses are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the accuracy (trueness) of photogrammetric imaging for complete arch implant-supported prostheses by comparing photogrammetric imaging with verified conventional splinted impressions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Completely edentulous arches with at least 4 implants were included. Both photogrammetric imaging and conventional splinted impressions were performed in each jaw. The conventional casts were verified and scanned by using a laboratory scanner as the control. The distances and angulations between different implants (interimplant distances and interimplant angulations) were measured in all photogrammetric and conventional standard tessellation language (STL) files by using a reverse-engineering software program. The distance deviations between the photogrammetric and conventional impressions of the same participant were calculated as the primary outcome, and the angular deviations were obtained as the secondary outcome with descriptive analyses. The comparison between distance deviations and the clinically acceptable level of deviations (150 µm) was conducted by using the 1-sample t test. The effect of interimplant distances, interimplant angulations, and jaw (maxilla or mandible) on deviations was analyzed by using the Spearman correlation analysis, Kruskal-Wallis test, or Student t test, depending on the type of data (α=0.05 for all tests). RESULTS: Fourteen edentulous jaws were included. The overall distance deviation of photogrammetric imaging was 70 ±57 µm, significantly lower than the clinically acceptable level of misfit (150 µm; P<.001). The overall angular deviation was 0.432 ±0.348 degrees. The distance deviations were correlated with interimplant distances with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.371 (P=.002). Interimplant angulation was not correlated with distance or angular deviations (P=.914, P=.914). Jaw was not correlated with distance or angular deviations either (P=.190, P=.209). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy (trueness) of photogrammetric imaging of complete arch implant-supported prostheses was within a clinically acceptable range of errors. Distance deviations increased with greater interimplant distances. Interimplant angulations and jaw (maxilla or mandible) had no significant effect on the accuracy of photogrammetric imaging.

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.

Impact of Orthodontic Gap Closure versus Prosthetic Replacement of Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisor on Dental Arch Relationships and Symmetry in 212 Patients with Cleft Palate: Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Maxillary lateral incisors are frequently missing in patients with cleft lip and/or palate. The aim of this study was to assess how orthodontic gap closure or prosthetic rehabilitation of the missing maxillary lateral incisor affected dental arch relationships and symmetry at the end of treatment. The authors also aimed to determine the effect of the level of oral hygiene on the decision made to manage the missing maxillary lateral incisor gap. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective cohort study including all patients with cleft lip and/or palate born between 1980 and 1999 and treated at Nantes Cleft Center was performed. Patients presenting unilateral or bilateral missing maxillary lateral incisors were reviewed. Data on management of the missing incisor gap, dental arch relationships, symmetry, and level of oral hygiene were collected. RESULTS: A total of 486 patients with cleft lip and/or palate were reviewed, including 212 patients with unilateral or bilateral missing maxillary lateral incisors. When compared with orthodontic gap closure, prosthetic replacement of the gap was associated with better final dental arch relationships (59.8 percent versus 10.3 percent; p < 0.01) and better dental arch symmetry (88.1 percent versus 44.0 percent; p < 0.01) for patients with unilateral missing incisors but not for patients with bilateral missing incisors. A higher level of oral hygiene was associated with more cases of prosthetic replacement for patients with unilateral missing incisors ( p = 0.03) but had no effect for patients with bilateral missing incisors. CONCLUSION: Prosthetic replacement of the missing maxillary lateral incisor gap provided better functional and aesthetic results for patients with cleft lip and/or palate presenting with unilateral missing maxillary lateral incisor.

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.

Dental Arch Relationship Outcomes Following 2-Stage Palatoplasty for Japanese Patients With Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A 3-Center Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dental arch relationship outcomes following 3 different 2-stage palatal repair protocols. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross sectional. SETTING: Three cleft palate centers (A, B, C) in Japan. PATIENTS: Ninety (A: 39, B: 26, C: 25) consecutively treated Japanese patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. INTERVENTIONS: In A, the soft palate and the posterior half of the hard palate were repaired at a mean age of 1 year 7 months. In B, the soft palate and hard palate were closed separately at a mean age of 1 year 6 months and 5 years 8 months, respectively. In C, the soft palate and hard palate were closed at a mean age of 1 year and 1 year 5 months, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dental arch relationships were assessed using the 5-Year-Olds' (5-Y) index by 5 raters and the Huddart/Bodenham (HB) index by 2 raters. RESULTS: Intra- and inter-rater reliabilities showed substantial or almost perfect agreement for the 5-Y and HB ratings. No significant differences in mean values and distributions of 5-Y scores were found among the 3 centers. The mean HB index scores of molars on the minor segment were significantly smaller in C than those in A and B (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in dental arch relationships at 5 years among the times and techniques of hard palate closure. However, further analysis of the possible influence of infant cleft size as a covariable on a larger sample size is needed.

Aesthetic and functional restoration of the dental arch continuity in difficult cases of impacted teeth within the frontal segment.

Impacted teeth are a fairly common defect with the incidence ranging from 2.9 to 13.7%. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of various treatment modalities in patients with impacted teeth within the frontal segment of the maxilla. The retrospective evaluation covered treatment outcomes in 81 patients with impacted teeth within the aesthetic segment. The subjects were divided into 3 groups. Patients with the impacted tooth uncovered and orthodontically repositioned in the arch were assigned to group 1. Group 2 consisted of patients with the impacted tooth qualified for extraction and the gap augmented and restored with an implant. Group 3 included subjects, who underwent en-bloc autotransplantation of the impacted tooth. In 38 group 1 subjects 47 teeth were uncovered with a mean efficacy of 58.1% (96.3% and 70% in patients below 18 yoa and adults, respectively). The excellent aesthetic treatment outcome was obtained in 75% and good in 25% of patients. In group 2 twenty-six adult subjects were treated with 100% efficacy. In 65.4% of patients, augmentation with a bone block was performed and in the remaining 34.6%, implantation and augmentation with bone granulate. In 88.3% subjects a satisfying treatment outcome was obtained. In group 3 eighteen teeth in a block were grafted with the efficacy of 88.9%. Excellent aesthetics was obtained in 56.25% of cases and good in 31.25%. Orthodontic repositioning of the impacted teeth in the arch in adult patients bears the risk of failure. Surgical treatment modalities in impacted teeth are effective and provide high aesthetics of the treatment outcome improved by prior orthodontic treatment of the concomitant malocclusion and augmentation of the vertical bone atrophy before implantation.

Scandcleft randomized trials of primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and palate: comparison of dental arch relationships and dental indices at 5, 8, and 10 years.

BACKGROUND AND TRIAL DESIGN: The Scandcleft intercentre study evaluates the outcomes of four surgical protocols (common method Arm A, and methods B, C, and D) for treatment of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in a set of three randomized trials of primary surgery (Trials 1, 2, and 3). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare dental arch relationships of 5-, 8-, and 10-year-old children with UCLP after four different protocols of primary surgery and to compare three dental indices. The results are secondary outcomes of the overall trial. METHODS: Study models taken at the ages of 5 (n = 418), 8 (n = 411), and 10 years (n = 410) were analysed by a blinded panel of orthodontists using the Eurocran index, the 5-year-olds' (5YO) index, and the GOSLON Yardstick. Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation, chi-square test, and kappa statistics were used in statistical analyses. RESULTS: The reliability of the dental indices varied between moderate and very good, and those of the Eurocran palatal index varied between fair and very good. Significant correlations existed between the dental indices at all ages. No differences were found in the mean 5-, 8-, and 10-year index scores or their distributions within surgical trials. Comparisons between trials detected significantly better mean index scores in Trial 2 Arm C (at all ages) and in Trial 1 Arm B (at 5 and 10 years of age) than in Trial 3 Arm D. The mean Eurocran dental index scores of the total material at 5, 8, and 10 years of age were 2.50, 2.60, and 2.26, and those of the 5YO index and GOSLON Yardstick were 2.77, 2.90, and 2.54, respectively. At age 10 years, 75.8% of the patients had had orthodontic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of these three trials do not provide evidence that one surgical method is superior to the others. The reliabilities of the dental indices were acceptable, and significant correlations existed between the indices at all ages. The reliability of the Eurocran palatal index was questionable. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN29932826.

Digital Volumetric Monitoring of Palate Growth in Children With Cleft Lip and Palate.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate longitudinally the volume of the dental arches in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate before and after the rehabilitative plastic surgeries. This is a longitudinal retrospective study was composed by 102 digitized dental casts of children with unilateral complete cleft lip (G1) and cleft lip and palate (G2). The palate volume was evaluated at 3 periods: preoperative (T1), postoperative 1 (T2), and postoperative 2 (T3). The intra- and inter-examiner reliability was analyzed by Wilcoxon test/Dahlberg formula and interclass correlation coefficient, respectively. The intragroup comparison was analyzed by Wilcoxon test and Friedman test followed by post-hoc Dunn test. Mann-Whitney test was applied for the intergroup comparison (α = 5%). G1 had a significant growth at T2 (P = 0.031). G2 demonstrated a positive development at T2, but decreased at T3 (P = 0.003). The intergroup analysis revealed that G2 showed a greater volume at T1 and T2 (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0024, respectively). T2-T1 exhibited no statistically significant difference (P = 0.262). In conclusion, there was a volumetric increase in the dental arches after cheiloplasty followed by a reduction after palatoplasty. Further investigations are necessary to validate the preliminary results of the present study.

Prediction of orthognathic surgery need in children with unilateral cleft lip palate: Dental arch relationships and 5-year-olds' index.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether dental arch relationships at 6 years of age can categorize treatment outcome and predict later need for orthognathic surgery in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: A retrospective longitudinal single-centre study. The study sample comprised 70 consecutive non-syndromic children (47 boys) with complete UCLP operated on by pushback techniques during 1981-1989 and followed until early adulthood in the same cleft centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental casts and maxillomandibular relationships were assessed before orthodontic treatment and secondary alveolar bone grafting at mean age 6.1 years (range 5.6-6.8) using the 5-year-olds' index and lateral cephalograms. The need for orthognathic surgery was retrieved from patient files. Student's t test, Pearson's correlation, and Kappa statistics were used in statistical analyses. RESULTS: Orthognathic surgery frequency was 41% (29/70). Those needing orthognathic surgery comprised all 3 patients with an index score of 5 (very poor), 14 of 17 (82%) scoring 4 (poor), 10 of 26 (38%) scoring 3 (fair), and 2 of 19 (11%) scoring 2 (good). Of the five patients with index score 1 (excellent), none needed osteotomies. The mean index score was 2.9. The score was significantly better in those without orthognathic surgery (2.4 versus 3.6). A significant negative correlation existed between the 5-year-olds' index and cephalometric angles ANB and anb. CONCLUSION: The use of 5-year-olds' index may help to predict treatment outcome and the clinical need for orthognathic surgery especially in patients with the lowest and highest index scores.

An Investigation of Three-Dimensional Maxillary Arch Morphometry of Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple factors (congenital and postnatal treatment factors) on the treatment outcome by assessing the maxillary arch dimension of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Eighty-five Pakistani children with UCLP were taken who received cheiloplasty and palatoplasty. Laser scanned 3D digital models of UCLP subjects were prepared before any orthodontic treatment and bone grafting at 7.69 ±â€Š2.46 (mean ±â€Šstandard deviation) years of age. Inter-canine width (ICW), inter-molar width (IMW), and arch depth (AD) measurements of maxillary arch were measured with Mimics software. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between congenital factors (age, gender, UCLP side, family history of cleft) and postnatal treatment factors (techniques of cheiloplasty and techniques of palatoplasty) with maxillary arch dimensions (ICW, IMW, and AD). P value was set at 5%. The mean (standard deviation) dimensions of ICW, IMW, and AD are 26.7 (5.70) mm, 43.3 (4.66) mm, and 27.1 (5.26) mm, respectively. There is no significant association found between multiple factors and maxillary arch dimensions. This regression analysis shows no significant association between multiple factors and MAD in this sample.

Palatal growth changes in newborns with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate from birth until 12 months after early neonatal cheiloplasty using morphometric assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To compare palatal growth changes in infants with complete unilateral (UCLP) or bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate during the first year of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Upper dental arches of 68 neonates with UCLP and BCLP were evaluated using 2D and 3D morphometry based on dental casts obtained in two age categories (T0 before early neonatal cheiloplasty-UCLP 4 ± 3 days, BCLP 6 ± 5 days; T1 before palatoplasty-UCLP 10 ± 2 months, BCLP 12 ± 3 months). RESULTS: Intensive palatal growth was manifested in both directions of the palate. Palatal growth in the anterior direction was not restricted, despite the intercanine (CC´) and anterior (LL´) widths being significantly narrowed in the BCLP group (CC´ p = 0.019, LL´ p = 0.009). The posterior dental arches were significantly enlarged (UCLP p ≤ 0.001; BCLP p ≤ 0.001). The negative effect of cleft severity on palatal length was not confirmed (p = 0.802). Variability of the palate was immense mainly in BCLP infants (T0); however, it decreased in both cleft types, confirming the formative effect of palatal growth leading to alveolar cleft closure (UCLP p ≤ 0.001; BCLP p = 0.006 on the right, 0.005 on the left). CONCLUSIONS: Both analyzed cleft groups (UCLP, BCLP) grew favorably during the first year of life, and the palatal growth was not limited in any direction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Geometric morphometry allowed a comprehensive analysis of the palate, which can contribute to the improvement of surgical methods.

Influence of surgical technique and timing of primary repair on interarch relationship in UCLP: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dental arch relationships in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) between two surgical techniques for repair of cleft lip/palate and two ages of palate repair. SETTINGS AND SAMPLE: Dental models were taken for a group of 448 subjects at a mean age of 7 years and were evaluated by means of the Goslon Yardstick. The patients studied consisted of an initial group of 673 infants with complete UCLP randomized into 8 study groups according to lip repair procedures (Millard versus Spina techniques); palate repair procedures (von Langenbeck versus Furlow techniques); and palate repair timing (early: 9 to 12 months versus late: 15-18 months). METHODS: Four surgeons performed all surgeries. Dependent variables included the following: lip repair technique, palate repair technique, age at time of palate repair and surgeon; with sex as an independent variable. The data were analysed using a general linear model (P < .05). RESULTS: There were no significant differences for occlusal index scores as a function of lip or palate surgical technique, palatal repair timing and sex. Significant differences were found for occlusal index scores as a function of the surgeon. CONCLUSION: Dental arch relationships were not influenced by lip and palatal repair techniques or patient age at palatal repair. The surgeon was the major factor that influenced the dental arch relationship outcome.

Changes in maxillary dental arch morphology after implant treatment in the alveolar cleft region.

BACKGROUND: Few reports have examined dental arch morphology (DAM) after dental implant placement in cleft patients and its actual state is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the presence of changes in DAM and influencing factors in cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) patients who receive implant treatment in the alveolar cleft region. METHODS: Subjects comprised 20 CLP patients in whom maxillary dental arch width (DAW) was evaluated before and after implant treatment based on computed tomography data. First, widths between the canines (W3), between the first premolars (W4), between the second premolars (W5), and between the first molars (W6) were measured before and after surgery. Changes in distance were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, revealing a significant increase in W6. Analysis of Co-Variance was performed with the difference in W6 after implant treatment as the response variable, and the following six items as explanatory variables: sex; cleft type; age at alveolar bone graft; time to implantation after bone grafting; number of implants; and time after completion of the observation period. RESULTS: The reduction in W6 was larger in the order of complete bilateral CLP, complete unilateral CLP, and unilateral cleft lip and alveolus, and the change decreased with an increasing number of implants. CONCLUSIONS: Implant treatment of the alveolar cleft region may result in a slight reduction in width of the dental arch after treatment completion.

Effects of Multiple Factors on Treatment Outcome in the Three-Dimensional Maxillary Arch Morphometry of Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

Studies have claimed that the maxillary arch dimension of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patient is significantly smaller than normal patient. Multiple factors (both congenital and post natal treatment factors) are believed to have an impact on the treatment outcome (maxillary arch retardation) of UCLP patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple factors on the treatment outcome by assessing the maxillary arch dimension of UCLP Children. Eighty-five Malaysian UCLP children were taken who received cheiloplasty and palatoplasty. Laser scanned 3D digital models of UCLP subjects were prepared before any orthodontic treatment and bone grafting at 7.69 ±â€Š2.46 (mean± SD) years of age. Intercanine width (ICW), intermolar width (IMW), and arch depth (AD) measurements of maxillary arch were measured with Mimics software. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between multiple factors (gender, UCLP type, UCLP side, family history of cleft, family history of class III malocclusion, techniques of cheiloplasty, and techniques of palatoplasty) and maxillary arch dimensions (ICW, IMW, and AD). P value was set at 5%. Significant association was found between 2 techniques of cheiloplasty and ICW (P = 0.001) and also between 2 techniques of palatoplasty and ICW (P = 0.046) of maxilla. No significant association observed in IMW and AD in relation to all other factors. Modified Millard techniques of Cheiloplasty and Bardach technique of palatoplasty had unfavorable effect on the treatment outcome by assessing the maxillary arch dimension (ICW) using laser scanned 3D digital models in Malaysian UCLP children.

Alternative Methods of Repositioning Impacted Maxillary Canines in the Dental Arch-En Bloc Autotransplantation of a Tooth.

OBJECTIVES: Permanent anterior tooth impaction constitutes an esthetic and medical challenge. The treatment of choice is orthodontic-surgical alignment of the impacted tooth into the arch. The procedure often proves to be unattainable due to the impacted tooth's unfavorable position in relation to the adjacent teeth; therefore, the decision to proceed with it can cause severe and irreversible complications in the form of adjacent tooth resorption or occlusal plane derangement. We present a new treatment modality to be used for cases of impacted canines, which consists of en bloc autotransplantation of a fully impacted tooth to the correct position in the dental arch. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study recruited patients with an impacted anterior maxillary canine tooth and an unfavorable prognosis due to its position in the arch after previous unsuccessful conventional orthodontic-surgical treatment. After orthodontic preparation, the problematic tooth was excised en bloc with adjacent bone and positioned correctly in the dental arch. RESULTS: The transplanted teeth remained alive and achieved proper stability with physiological mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Autotransplantation of an impacted, live, permanent tooth en bloc with adjacent bone is a new treatment modality with efficacy confirmed by short-term follow-up. It is the treatment of choice in cases where it is impossible to reposition a canine tooth with an orthodontic appliance. In view of the gathered data, adequate assessment and qualification of patients was crucial and allowed for a reduction in complications after unsuccessful orthodontic-surgical repositioning of impacted teeth.

Complete-arch fixed reconstruction by means of guided surgery and immediate loading: a retrospective clinical study on 12 patients with 1 year of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Guided implant surgery is considered as a safe and minimally invasive flapless procedure. However, flapless guided surgery, implant placement in post-extraction sockets and immediate loading of complete-arch fixed reconstructions without artificial gum are still not throughly evaluated. The aim of the present retrospective clinical study was to document the survival and success of complete-arch fixed reconstructions without artificial gum, obtained by means of guided surgery and immediate loading of implants placed also in fresh extraction sockets. METHODS: A total of 12 patients (5 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 50.0 ± 13.8) were enrolled in this study. Implant planning was performed with a guided surgery system (RealGuide®, 3Diemme, Como, Italy), from which 3D-printed surgical templates were fabricated. All implants (Esthetic Line-EL®, C-Tech, Bologna, Italy) were placed through the guides and immediately loaded by means of a temporary fixed full-arch restoration without any artificial gum; the outcome measures were implant stability at placement, implant survival, complications, prosthetic success, soft-tissue stability, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: One hundred ten implants (65 of them post-extractive) were placed flapless through a guided surgery procedure and then immediately loaded by means of provisional fixed full arches. Successful implant stability at placement was achieved in all cases. After a provisionalization period of 6 months, 72 fixed prosthetic restorations were delivered. Only 2 implants failed to osseointegrate and had to be removed, in one patient, giving a 1-year implant survival rate of 98.2% (108/110 surviving implants); 8/12 prostheses did not undergo any failure or complication during the entire follow-up period. At the 1-year follow-up control, soft-tissue was stable in all patients and showed satesfactory aesthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, complete-arch fixed reconstruction by means of guided surgery and immediate loading of implants placed in fresh extraction sockets appears to be a reliable and successful procedure. Further long-term prospective studies on a larger sample of patients are needed to confirm these positive outcomes.