COMPARISON OF INCIDENCE OF MISSING TEETH IN UCLP PATIENTS COMPARED TO NON CLEFT ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: The most prevalent serial congenital defects affecting the orofacial region are cleft lip and palate. It can occur alone, in various combinations, and/or in conjunction with other congenital malformations, such as congenital heart disease. To achieve functional and aesthetic well-being, patients with oro-facial cleft deformity must be treated at the appropriate time and at the appropriate age. Congenitally missing teeth were discovered 1.5 times more frequently bilaterally than unilaterally, whereas in second premolar teeth, bilateral absence was detected 1.5 times more frequently than unilateral absence. It was claimed that the absence of several teeth in cleft patients was interdependent, but it is unknown how many affected individuals are missing these teeth at the same time. The aim of this study is to compare the incidence of missing teeth in patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate with non cleft orthodontic patients.

Materials and method: In this retrospective study, the data was collected from the hospital database and further analysis was done and the results were tabulated.A statistical analysis of the collected data regarding the variance of edentulism among unilateral cleft lip or palate patients and non-cleft orthodontic patients.

Results: The total patient count for Unilateral cleft lip and palate aged between 6-30 years was found to be 41. Hence, 41 non-cleft orthodontic patients aged 6-30 years were selected based on simple random sampling. In Unilateral cleft lip or palate patients, 41.46% were missing 1 tooth, 34.15% were missing 2 teeth, 7.32% were missing 3 teeth, 9.76% were missing 4 teeth, 4.88% were missing 5 teeth and 2.44% were missing 6 teeth.

Discussion: The number of missing teeth plays a significant influence in orthodontic treatment planning and management. The amount of lost teeth is larger in CLP patients, which complicates treatment planning further. The lateral incisors were observed to be the most common missing teeth in the cleft region in both deciduous and permanent dentition, while the upper second premolars were reported to be more commonly deficient than the normal population in children with clefts.

Conclusion: It can thus be concluded that patients with unilateral cleft lip or palate had increased edentulism when compared to non cleft orthodontic patients. It can also be said that the edentulism is a result of the cleft defect.