Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Method of Studying Palatal Fusion using Static Organ Culture
Published on: September 19, 2015
[Dental caries in children with cleft lip and/or palate in China]
Wan-chun Zhu1, Li-xia Xu, Shuang-fei Li
1Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatological Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of dental caries in children with cleft lip and Palate.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 380 children with cleft lip and Palate and 339 children without cleft. Dental caries were measured with decayed-missing-filed-teeth index (DMFT/dmft) and the decayed-missing-filed-surface index (DMFS/dmfs). A questionnaire survey about the socio-economic conditions and lifestyles of the children's families was undertaken in the parents of the children.
Results:
(1) The children with cleft Palates had a higher prevalence of caries and greater DMFT(S) and dmft(s) scores than the children without cleft (P < 0.05), except for those of 3 to 5 years old. (2) For the children of 3 to 5 years old, those with cleft lip and palate had significantly more caries than those with only a cleft lip or a cleft lip and alveolus (P < 0.05). The children who had surgical repairs had lower dmft(s) than those who had not (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
(2) Chinese children with oral cleft have more dental caries than the children without cleft. (2) Children with cleft lip and palate have higher levels of dental caries than those with cleft lip alone. The children who had surgical repairs have less dental caries.
Related Concept Videos
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
