Comparison between Chronological Age and Dental Ages of Saudi Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate

The primary aim of this study is to compare the chronological age with the dental age of Saudi patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP). The patients' demographics (gender and age group) were analyzed further.

In total, 401 panoramic radiographs were assessed (195 and 206 for the control and the CLP groups, respectively). The subjects' ages ranged from 3 to 17 years, from both genders. The root and crown developmental stages of the mandibular permanent teeth were evaluated using Demirjian's method to calculate dental age. The subjects were separated into three groups according to chronological age. One investigator collected all the data, the intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficient test showed good reliability (0.984). A paired t test was then used to determine any statistically significant difference between the mean dental and chronological ages of the control and the cleft samples. The mean difference between chronological and dental ages was then calculated for the control and the cleft groups. A Student's t test was then used to compare the two mean differences.

The dental age of normal subjects was ahead of their chronological age by 8.1 months. The CLP group had delayed dental development by 9.6 months (p < 0.01) when compared with normal subjects. The males with CLP had an extended delay in dental development by 6.5 months when compared with females with CLP.

Saudi subjects affected with CLP had significantly delayed dental development when compared with the control group.

Dental age is commonly used to assess dental development in comparison with chronological age. Reporting dental age accuracy for CLP cases would be of value for proper management and diagnosis.