Periodontal Findings in Children and Adolescents with Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Case-Control Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate periodontal disease and oral biofilm in children and adolescents with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP). Methods: A total of 118 individuals aged six to 18 years, with CLP (n equals 60) and without CLP (n equals 58), were evaluated according to plaque index (PI), gingival bleeding index (BI), clinical attachment level (CAL), and probing pocket depth (PPD). Gingivitis and periodontitis were also diagnosed. Samples of subgingival oral biofilm were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted for oral microbial analysis. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerela forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Streptococcus oralis were identified and quantified by qPCR using Taqman primers and probes. Results: PI, BI, CAL, and PPD were statistically higher in the CLP group. Gingivitis was observed in 52 percent and 29 percent (P<0.001) and mild periodontitis was observed in 48 percent and 22 percent (P<0.001) of the CLP and control groups, respectively. When the permanent dentition group was evaluated, a greater occurrence of mild periodontitis was observed in the CLP group (P<0.001). The level of A. actinomycetemcomitans (P<0.001), P. gingivalis (P<0.001), and T. forsythia (P<0.001) was statistically higher in the subgingival biofilm of the CLP group. Conclusions: The presence of cleft lip and/or palate negatively affects oral hygiene and levels of periodontopathogens in oral biofilm. In addition, clinical and microbiological results highlight the importance of early assessment of young people with cleft lip and/or palate and the permanent dentition to prevent periodontal disease.