Root Curvature in Non-Syndromic Oral Clefts: A Case-Control Study in a Brazilian Population

Objective This study assesses the degree of root curvature in patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P). Design Retrospective. Case-control study. Setting Root curvature was assessed in lower premolars and molars in 800 panoramic radiographs: 400 from patients with cleft and 400 from healthy control individuals. Root curvature was classified according to its angulation, as well as its apical, medial, or coronal localization. Results The frequency of mild curvature in the NSCL/P group compared to the control group was higher in premolars especially in the left second premolar in cleft palate (OR: 6.91; 95% CI: 3.23-14.77; P < .0001). The frequency of moderate curvature in molars was significantly higher in the cleft group, with the highest risk in the right first molar in the cleft lip group (OR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.67-4.52; P < .0001). Inclination was more frequently observed in the apical third of the root in the group with cleft, whereas for the control group, the curvature was more frequent in the medial third. In patients with cleft, the OR of curvature in the apical third was significant in premolars (left lower second premolar: Cleft lip, OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.04-3.52; P = .03; right lower second premolar: Cleft lip, OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.04-3.50; P = .03, cleft lip and palate, OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.12-2.73; P = .01). Conclusion The results of the current study indicate differences in root curvature in patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate, which should be considered during the dental treatment planning of patients.

Automated summary

This study assessed the degree of root curvature in patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P). The results showed differences in root curvature between the NSCL/P group and the control group, with higher frequencies of mild and moderate curvature in premolars and molars in the cleft group. The location of the curvature also differed, with inclination observed more frequently in the apical third of the root in the cleft group and in the medial third in the control group. These differences should be considered in the dental treatment planning of patients.