Prospective cohort 3D study of dental arches in children with bilateral orofacial cleft: Assessment of volume and superimposition

Background Cohort studies have evaluated dental arches of children. Aim To evaluate the volumetric, linear, palatal surface area, and the dental arch superimposition of participants with bilateral complete cleft lip (BCL) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) surgically treated in a specialized hospital. Design One hundred and thirty six digitized dental models evaluated before cheiloplasty (T1), after cheiloplasty (T2), and after palatoplasty (T3). The stereophotogrammetry software analysed the volume, palate superimposition, linear, and area measurements. Results In BCL group, at T2, C-C ', T-T ', area, and volume significantly increased (P = .000,P < .000,P = .010 eP = .003, respectively). In BCLP group, the comparison T3 x T1 showed that C-C ' decreased, whereas T-T ' and the area increased (P < .000,P < .000,P = .000). The volume increased at T2, but decreased at T3 (P < .000) in participants with BCLP. The intergroup analysis revealed that C-C ', T-T ', I-C ', and I-C were significantly smaller in participants with BCLP (P < .000,P = .016,P = .001 eP = .020, respectively), whereas the volume, superimposition, and area were statistically similar between groups (P > .05). Conclusion The comparison between bilateral orofacial clefts showed reduction in the transversal and anteroposterior linear measurements, but not in the area and volume, which was confirmed by the superimposition of the dental arches.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the dental arches of patients with bilateral complete cleft lip and bilateral cleft lip and palate treated in a specialized hospital, showing a reduction in transversal and anteroposterior linear measurements in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate. However, there was no significant decrease in area and volume, as indicated by the superimposition of dental arches.