Premolar development in Greek children with cleft lip and palate

Area of Science:

• Dental development
• Craniofacial anomalies
• Pediatric dentistry

Background:

• Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are common congenital conditions affecting facial structures.
• Tooth development anomalies are frequently observed in individuals with CLP.
• Understanding premolar development in CLP is crucial for orthodontic and surgical planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental stages of premolars in Greek children with CLP.
• To compare premolar formation and mineralization between children with and without CLP.
• To identify any sex-based or asymmetry differences in premolar development within the CLP group.

Main Methods:

• Panoramic radiographs of 34 Greek children with CLP (ages 8-14.5) were analyzed.
• Radiographs were compared to age- and sex-matched controls without clefts.
• Tooth development was assessed using Nolla's 10 stages of mineralization, with a second observer for reliability.

Main Results:

• Children with CLP demonstrated a statistically significant delay in the formation and mineralization of maxillary and mandibular second premolars compared to controls.
• No significant sex differences in premolar development were found within the CLP group.
• No asymmetric development of contralateral premolars was observed in children with CLP.

Conclusions:

• Premolar formation and mineralization are significantly delayed in children with cleft lip and palate.
• The precise biological mechanisms underlying this developmental delay require further investigation.
• These findings highlight the need for tailored dental management strategies for children with CLP.