[Dento-alveolar cleft and the lateral incisor]

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Craniofacial Anomalies

Context:

• Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are common congenital conditions affecting facial development.
• Dental anomalies, including agenesis and malformation of the lateral incisor, are frequent in CLP patients.
• Management of the dento-alveolar cleft requires addressing associated dental issues.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the orthodontic treatment outcomes in patients with cleft lip and palate.
• To assess the prevalence of dental anomalies in the cleft area among treated patients.
• To determine the efficacy of surgical and orthodontic interventions in achieving well-formed dental arches.

Summary:

• A cohort of 55 cleft lip and palate patients (ages 9-12) received treatment between 1980-1990.
• Dental anomalies observed included agenetic (52%), normally developed (24%), and malformed (24%) lateral incisors on the cleft side.
• Malformed and fissural teeth were surgically removed during alveolar bone grafting; orthodontic treatment followed.

Impact:

• Successful orthodontic treatment facilitated the creation of well-formed dental arches in almost all patients.
• This study highlights the importance of integrated surgical and orthodontic management for CLP patients.
• Improved dental arch form contributes to better function and aesthetics in individuals with cleft lip and palate.