An analysis of third molar mineralization in Brazilian patients with cleft lip and palate

Purpose: This study investigated the third molar mineralization in patients with cleft lip and palate.Materials and methods: From a total of 253 digital panoramic radiographs from patients with cleft lip and palate within the age range of 7-21 years, 97 radiographs were selected (cleft group). A control group was formed from same sex individuals, without malformation and chronological age matched within 30 days. The analysis of third molar mineralization was carried out by three calibrated examiners using Demirjian's and Nolla's methods. McNemar and Wilcoxon test for paired samples were used for pairwise comparisons between the groups. The Likelihood Ratio test was used to check for an association between the type of cleft and tooth calcification.Results: In both methods, the mineralization means were smaller in the case group than in the control, with significant differences for all third molars (p < .05). The type of cleft affected dental mineralization. There was no significant difference when comparing the left or right sides, but maxillary molars showed earlier mineralization.Conclusions: A significant delay in third molar mineralization was observed in patients with cleft lip and palate according to Demirjian's and Nolla's methods.