Dental arch relationship in children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate following one-stage and three-stage surgical protocols

The Slavcleft: A Three-Center Study of the Outcome of Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate Considering Palatal Shape

The degree of deviation of palatal shape from the norm may reflect facial growth disturbance in cleft lip and palate (CLP). The objective of this study was to compare the palatal morphology in children treated with different surgical protocols. Palatal shape was assessed with geometric morphometrics (GM) including Procrustes superimposition, principal component analysis (PCA), and permutation tests with 10,000 permutations, in 24 children treated with two-stage repair with a late palatoplasty (Prague group; mean age at assessment 8.9 years), 16 children after two-stage repair with early palatoplasty (Bratislava group; mean age 8.2 years), and 53 children treated with a one-stage repair (Warsaw group, mean age 10.3 years). The non-cleft control group comprised 60 children at 8.6 years. The first five principal components (PCs) accounted for a minimum of 5% of the total shape variability (65.9% in total). The Procrustes distance was largest for the Prague vs. Control pair and smallest for the Prague vs. Bratislava pair. Nonetheless, all intergroup differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01). One can conclude that variations in palatal shape roughly correspond to cephalometric and dental arch relationship findings from prior research. Among the children who underwent a one-stage repair of the complete cleft, their palatal morphology most closely resembled that of the non-cleft controls. Conversely, children who received late palatoplasty exhibited the greatest degree of deviation.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Dental Arch Relationship and Palatal Morphology after Cleft Surgery in Italian Children with Unilateral Cleft and Lip Palate

Dental arch relationships (DARs) and palatal morphology (PM) were evaluated in in non-syndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) Italian patients after surgery. Pre- and postnatal factors affecting the results were investigated. Sixty-six children with UCLP (40 boys and 26 girls, with a mean age of 10.1 ± 2.9 years), predominantly Caucasian (77%), were consecutively enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Twenty children had received a one-stage protocol consisting of an early periosteal palate surgical repair and lip closure and forty-six were submitted to a staged surgical protocol with delayed palate repair (DPR). A single clinician collected data on their medical history and carried out a dental examination. The DAR and PM were graded on dental casts according to the Eurocran index and dichotomised as favourable and unfavourable based on the treatment outcome. Multiple logistic regression analyses demonstrated that female sex (OR = 6.08, 95% CI: 1.47-25.23, p = 0.013), DPR (OR = 4.77, 95% CI: 1.14-19.93, p = 0.032) and the use of a neonatal plate (OR = 4.68, 95% CI: 1.27-17.16, p = 0.020) increased the odds of having favourable DAR, while only DPR (OR = 9.76, 95% CI: 2.40-39.71, p = 0.001) was significantly associated with a favourable PM. Based on these findings, only DPR had a significantly favourable effect on both DAR and DM in Italian children with complete UCLP.

Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Treatment of Patients with Cleft Lip, Alveolus, and Palate: An Executive Summary

Significant treatment variation exists in the Netherlands between teams treating patients with cleft lip, alveolus, and/or palate, resulting in a confusing and undesirable situation for patients, parents, and practitioners. Therefore, to optimize cleft care, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were developed. The aim of this report is to describe CPG development, share the main recommendations, and indicate knowledge gaps regarding cleft care. Together with patients and parents, a multidisciplinary working group of representatives from all relevant disciplines assisted by two experienced epidemiologists identified the topics to be addressed in the CPGs. Searching the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases identified 5157 articles, 60 of which remained after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. We rated the quality of the evidence from moderate to very low. The working group formulated 71 recommendations regarding genetic testing, feeding, lip and palate closure, hearing, hypernasality, bone grafting, orthodontics, psychosocial guidance, dentistry, osteotomy versus distraction, and rhinoplasty. The final CPGs were obtained after review by all stakeholders and allow cleft teams to base their treatment on current knowledge. With high-quality evidence lacking, the need for additional high-quality studies has become apparent.

Scandcleft randomized trials of primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and palate: comparison of dental arch relationships and dental indices at 5, 8, and 10 years

Background and trial design

The Scandcleft intercentre study evaluates the outcomes of four surgical protocols (common method Arm A, and methods B, C, and D) for treatment of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in a set of three randomized trials of primary surgery (Trials 1, 2, and 3).

Objectives

To evaluate and compare dental arch relationships of 5-, 8-, and 10-year-old children with UCLP after four different protocols of primary surgery and to compare three dental indices. The results are secondary outcomes of the overall trial.

Methods

Study models taken at the ages of 5 (n = 418), 8 (n = 411), and 10 years (n = 410) were analysed by a blinded panel of orthodontists using the Eurocran index, the 5-year-olds’ (5YO) index, and the GOSLON Yardstick. Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation, chi-square test, and kappa statistics were used in statistical analyses.

Results

The reliability of the dental indices varied between moderate and very good, and those of the Eurocran palatal index varied between fair and very good. Significant correlations existed between the dental indices at all ages. No differences were found in the mean 5-, 8-, and 10-year index scores or their distributions within surgical trials. Comparisons between trials detected significantly better mean index scores in Trial 2 Arm C (at all ages) and in Trial 1 Arm B (at 5 and 10 years of age) than in Trial 3 Arm D. The mean Eurocran dental index scores of the total material at 5, 8, and 10 years of age were 2.50, 2.60, and 2.26, and those of the 5YO index and GOSLON Yardstick were 2.77, 2.90, and 2.54, respectively. At age 10 years, 75.8% of the patients had had orthodontic treatment.

Conclusions

The results of these three trials do not provide evidence that one surgical method is superior to the others. The reliabilities of the dental indices were acceptable, and significant correlations existed between the indices at all ages. The reliability of the Eurocran palatal index was questionable.

Trial registration

ISRCTN29932826.

Palatal morphology in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients: Association with infant cleft dimensions and timing of hard palate repair

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of cleft severity and timing of hard palate repair on palatal dimensions in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) children.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

Single-centre analysis within a multicenter RCT of primary surgery; 122 UCLP randomized to early hard palate closure (EHPC) at 12 months or delayed hard palate closure (DHPC) at 36 months; 28 frequency-matched controls.

METHODS

Linear measurements of palatal height, width and length were performed on 116 digital models of UCLP subjects (8.21 years, SD = 0.53) and 28 models of non-cleft individuals (8.44 years SD = 0.72). Cleft dimensions at infancy (mean 1.8 months) were considered. In a pilot study, shell-to-shell distances between the 3D cleft palate objects and a reference mesh were calculated and differences between the groups assessed. Morphological differences were visualized using colour mapping.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, UCLP subjects presented a higher palate at the level of the anterior scar (P = 0.002), but generally a lower palate in the middle region (P < 0.001). Comparing UCLP subgroups, the DHPC subjects showed a flatter palate posteriorly (P = 0.048) and the EHPC group exhibited more transversal constriction (P = 0.003 at M1 level). 3D analysis revealed a shallower palate in the DHPC group both in the middle (P = 0.002) and the posterior part (P = 0.008). Anterior cleft severity correlated negatively with palatal height (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral cleft lip and palate palates differ from controls in width and height. DHPC may represent an advantage for the transversal dimension, but a disadvantage for palatal height. Infant cleft dimensions partially explain differences in palatal height.

Treatment Outcome of Bangladeshi UCLP Patients Based on Both Phenotype and Postnatal Treatment Factors using Modified Huddart Bodenham (mHB) Index

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the dental arch relationship (DAR) of nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and to explore the various phenotype and postnatal treatment factors that are responsible for poor DAR.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

School of Dental Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

SUBJECTS

Eighty-four Bangladeshi children with nonsyndromic UCLP who received cheiloplasty and palatoplasty.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Dental models were taken at 5 to 12 years of age (man: 7.69), and dental arch relationships were assessed using modified Huddart/Bodenham index (mHB) by two raters. Kappa statistics was used to evaluate the intra- and interexaminer agreements, chi-square was used to assess the associations, and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the responsible factors that affect DAR.

RESULTS

The total mHB score (mean [SD]) was -8.261 (7.115). Intra- and interagreement was very good. Using crude and stepwise backward regression analysis, significant association was found between positive history of class III (P = .025, P = .030, respectively) and unfavorable DAR. Complete UCLP (P = .003) was also significantly correlated with unfavorable DAR.

CONCLUSION

This multivariate study suggested complete type of UCLP and positive history of class III had a significantly unfavorable effect on the DAR.

Assessment of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate treatment outcome using EUROCRAN index and associated factors

OBJECTIVES

Assessment of treatment outcome is the only non-invasive approach to identify the effects of cleft lip and palate repair and modify management accordingly. Here the aim is to assess the outcome of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP) patients using EUROCRAN index and to check whether there are any factors associated with the treatment outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It is a retrospective cross sectional study. Dental models were collected from archives of two cleft referral centers in Pakistan. Five blinded examiners scored 101 models twice at two week interval. The primary outcome was mean EUROCRAN scores based on dental arch relationships and palatal surface morphology.

RESULTS

A mean(SD) score of 2.72 (0.76) and 2.20 (0.73) was determined based on dental arch relationships and palatal surface morphology, respectively. According to the final logistic regression model, modified Millard technique (cheiloplasty) and Veau-Wardill-Kilners' method (palatoplasty) had higher odds of producing unfavorable treatment outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Present study determined a fair and a fair to poor treatment outcome based on dental arch relationships and palatal surface morphology, respectively. Our study suggests a significant association between treatment outcome and primary surgical techniques for lip and palate. These findings could warrant a modification of management protocols to ensure improvement in future cleft outcomes.

Occlusal, chewing, and tasting characteristics associated with orofacial dysfunctions in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to assess the associations between orofacial dysfunctions with malocclusion, masticatory performance, and taste in children with and without unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A patient-based, matched, case-control study was conducted involving 108 8- to 10-year-old children divided in UCLP and control groups. Orofacial dysfunctions were evaluated using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S). Orthodontic treatment need was evaluated using the Goslon Yardstick Index (GYI) and the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) of patients and controls, respectively. Masticatory performance was assessed using a chewable test material to determine median particle size (X ₅₀) and distribution of particles in different sieves (b value). Taste perception was evaluated using four solutions (sweet, salty, bitter, or acid) in three different concentrations.

RESULTS

More than half of the patients needed orthodontic surgery. UCLP group presented higher median particle size and needed more chewing cycles to comminute the artificial test into particles smaller than the median than those of controls. UCLP group had less perception of salty flavor than controls. There was a positive correlation between b value and NOT-S examination score for patients. In regression analysis, a significant interrelationship was observed between NOT-S examination score and b value.

CONCLUSIONS

In the UCLP patients, masticatory performance was compromised probably as a result of facial asymmetry and speech disturbance; whereas, taste was less perceived only for salty flavor.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These findings provide preliminary evidence that mastication and taste are altered in children with UCLP, so these factors must be followed up to ensure oral and general health in growing individuals.

The effect of various factors on the dental arch relationship in non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate children assessed by new approach: a retrospective study

Background

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is one of the most common birth defects. Multiple factors are believed to be responsible for an unfavorable dental arch relationship in CLP. Facial growth (maxillary) retardation, which results in class III malocclusion, is the primary challenge that CLP patients face. Phenotype factors and postnatal treatment factors influence treatment outcomes in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) children, which has led to a great diversity in protocols and surgical techniques by various cleft groups worldwide. The aim of this study was to illustrate the dental arch relationship (DAR) and palatal morphology (PM) of UCLP in Bangladeshi children and to explore the various factors that are responsible for poor DAR and PM.

Methods

Dental models of 84 subjects were taken before orthodontic treatment and alveolar bone grafting. The mean age was 7.69 (SD 2.46) years. The DAR and PM were assessed blindly by five raters using the EUROCRAN index (EI). Kappa statistics was used to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner agreement, chi square was used to assess the associations, and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the responsible factors that affect DAR and PM.

Results

The mean EUROCRAN scores were 2.44 and 1.93 for DAR and PM, respectively. Intra- and inter-examiner agreement was moderate to very good. Using crude and stepwise backward regression analyses, significant associations were found between the modified Millard technique (P = 0.047, P = 0.034 respectively) of cheiloplasty and unfavorable DAR. Complete UCLP (P = 0.017) was also significantly correlated with unfavorable DAR. The PM showed a significant association with the type of cleft, type of cheiloplasty and type of palatoplasty.

Conclusion

This multivariate study determined that the complete type of UCLP and the modified Millard technique of cheiloplasty had significantly unfavorable effects on both the DAR and PM.

Multivariate analysis on unilateral cleft lip and palate treatment outcome by EUROCRAN index: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

This study is to evaluate the dental arch relationship and palatal morphology of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients by using EUROCRAN index, and to assess the factors that affect them using multivariate statistical analysis.

METHOD

A total of one hundred and seven patients from age five to twelve years old with non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate were included in the study. These patients have received cheiloplasty and one stage palatoplasty surgery but yet to receive alveolar bone grafting procedure. Five assessors trained in the use of the EUROCRAN index underwent calibration exercise and ranked the dental arch relationships and palatal morphology of the patients' study models. For intra-rater agreement, the examiners scored the models twice, with two weeks interval in between sessions. Variable factors of the patients were collected and they included gender, site, type and, family history of unilateral cleft lip and palate; absence of lateral incisor on cleft side, cheiloplasty and palatoplasty technique used. Associations between various factors and dental arch relationships were assessed using logistic regression analysis.

RESULT

Dental arch relationship among unilateral cleft lip and palate in local population had relatively worse scoring than other parts of the world. Crude logistics regression analysis did not demonstrate any significant associations among the various socio-demographic factors, cheiloplasty and palatoplasty techniques used with the dental arch relationship outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has limitations that might have affected the results, example: having multiple operators performing the surgeries and the inability to access the influence of underlying genetic predisposed cranio-facial variability. These may have substantial influence on the treatment outcome. The factors that can affect unilateral cleft lip and palate treatment outcome is multifactorial in nature and remained controversial in general.

Which index should be used to measure primary surgical outcome for unilateral cleft lip and palate patients?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimal dentoalveolar measure to assess unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patient plaster models.

DESIGN

The models of 34 patients with UCLP taken at 5, 10, and 15-20 years of age were scored by two examiners on two separate occasions using five indices: the 5 Year Olds' (5YO), GOSLON, Modified Huddart/Bodenham (MHB), EUROCRAN, and Overjet. Reliability, validity, and ease of use were recorded for each index/examiner.

SETTING

All models were scored in either Bristol Dental Hospital or Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, United Kingdom by senior orthodontic clinicians.

RESULTS

Highest overall reliability was seen with MHB (Kappa = 0.56-0.97). Predictive validity was similar for MHB, GOSLON, and 5YO with a 50-65 per cent prediction of final outcome from 5 and 10 years. EUROCRAN palatal index showed no clear predictive validity (Spearman's correlation = 0.20-0.21). Agreement to the gold standard 5YO score at the 5-year age group was high for MHB (Kappa = 0.83) and moderate for GOSLON (Kappa = 0.59). Agreement to the gold standard GOSLON score at 10 years was highest for 5YO (Kappa = 0.69), followed by Overjet (Kappa = 0.59) and MHB (Kappa = 0.46). Time to score 34 models per index (minutes): GOSLON (13.4) < Overjet (13.6) < 5YO (19.4) < EUROCRAN (24.8) < MHB (27.4).

CONCLUSION

As an outcome measure of UCLP models, only MHB and 5YO indices can be recommended for use at 5 years of age and GOSLON at 10 years of age.

Intraoral 3D Scanning or Dental Impressions for the Assessment of Dental Arch Relationships in Cleft Care: Which is Superior?

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to evaluate intraoral 3D scans for assessing dental arch relationships and obtain patient/parent perceptions of impressions and intraoral 3D scanning.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Forty-three subjects with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) had impressions taken for plaster models. These and the teeth were scanned using the R700 Orthodontic Study Model Scanner and Trios® Digital Impressions Scanner (3Shape A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark) to create indirect and direct digital models. All model formats were scored by three observers on two occasions using the GOSLON and modified Huddart Bodenham (MHB) indices. Participants and parents scored their perceptions of impressions and scanning from 1 (very good) to 5 (very bad). Intra- and interexaminer reliability were tested using GOSLON and MHB data (Cronbach's Alpha >0.9). Bland and Altman plots were created for MHB data, with each model medium (one-sample t tests, P < .05) and questionnaire data (Wilcoxon signed ranks P < .05) tested.

RESULTS

Intra- and interexaminer reliability (>0.9) were good for all formats with the direct digital models having the lowest interexaminer differences. Participants had higher ratings for scanning comfort (84.8%) than impressions (44.2%) (P < .05) and for scanning time (56.6%) than impressions (51.2%) (P > .05). None disliked scanning, but 16.3% disliked impressions. Data for parents and children positively correlated (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Reliability of scoring dental arch relationships using intraoral 3D scans was superior to indirect digital and to plaster models; Subjects with UCLP preferred intra-oral 3D scanning to dental impressions, mirrored by parents/carers; This study supports the replacement of conventional impressions with intra-oral 3D scans in longitudinal evaluations of the outcomes of cleft care.

Rating dental arch relationships and palatal morphology with the EUROCRAN index on three different formats of dental casts in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate

Background

The EUROCRAN index has been used in inter-center studies to assess dental arch relationship (DAR) and palatal morphology (PM) in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). For this type of inter-center research, a scoring method that could be performed over the internet would be the most effective. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of application of the EUROCRAN index on 3D digital models or photographs of plaster models instead of using plaster models.

Methods

The EUROCRAN reference models were presented in three formats: plaster models, 2D photographs of plaster models, and 3D digital models. Plaster models of children with UCLP (n = 45) were rated. Of each case, all three formats were rated by six calibrated observers in random order. The strength of agreement of the ratings was assessed with kappa statistics. Concordance among observers was evaluated with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The ICC showed a good inter-observer agreement for the DAR and poor inter-observer agreement for the PM. Intra-observer agreement for the DAR was moderate to very good, yet for the PM poor to moderate. Comparison between the three formats per observer for the DAR was good or very good and for the PM moderate to poor.

Conclusions

The overall results show that the EUROCRAN index is an acceptable and reliable scoring method for the DAR on plaster models, 2D photographs of plaster models, and 3D digital models. However, due to the small range of deviations in palatal morphology between the cases in our study, the PM component of the index was difficult to assess.

Clinical relevance

In clinical audits and inter-center studies, plaster models can be substituted by 2D photographs of plaster casts or 3D digital models when grading treatment outcome with the EUROCRAN index.

Anterior crossbite, dental arch dimensions, and later need for orthognathic surgery in 6-year-old children with unilateral cleft lip and palate

Objective : Six-year-old children with unilateral cleft lip and palate were examined to compare the prevalence of anterior crossbite and dental arch dimensions of those who later needed orthognathic surgery with the prevalence of those who did not. Design : Retrospective longitudinal study. Patients : A total of 68 consecutive nonsyndromic patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (44 boys, 24 girls). Main Outcome Measures : Children with unilateral cleft lip and palate whose palates had been closed in one stage by the Veau-Wardill-Kilner or Cronin-Brauer V-Y pushback techniques were analyzed from dental casts taken at a mean age of 6.1 years (range, 5.7 to 6.8 years) before orthodontic treatment or bone grafting. The need for orthognathic surgery in these patients was determined from hospital records at the mean age of 18.2 years (range, 15.6 to 20.2 years). Student's t test and chi-square test were used in statistical analyses. Results : The prevalence of anterior crossbite was 62% (one or both central incisors in full crossbite). The prevalence was higher (75% versus 53%) in children later needing orthognathic surgery (28 of 68, 41%), but the difference was not significant. Nor were there significant differences in dental arch measurements between children who later needed osteotomies and those who did not or between the two modifications of the primary palatal pushback operations. Conclusions : The prevalence of anterior crossbite and the dental arch dimensions did not differ between 6-year-old children with unilateral cleft lip and palate who later needed orthognathic surgery and those who did not.

Indices to assess malocclusions in patients with cleft lip and palate

BACKGROUND

Several indices are now available to assess the severity of the malocclusion in cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) patients; and although it has been quite some time since the introduction of these indices, there is no consensus as to which index should be used for CLP populations.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the available literature on the indices used to assess the occlusal schemes in dental models of CLP patients, with respect to the most commonly used index and the index that most fulfils the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.

SEARCH METHODS

Ten electronic databases, grey literature, and reference list searches were conducted.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The inclusion criteria consisted of studies that aimed to assess a particular malocclusion index on study models of patients with CLP.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Full articles were retrieved from abstracts/titles that appeared to have met the inclusion -exclusion criteria which were subsequently reviewed using more detailed criteria for a final selection decision. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was used to appraise the methodological quality of the finally included studies. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, only a qualitative analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies met the inclusion -exclusion criteria. These studies revealed seven utilized indices, namely the GOSLON Yardstick, Five-Year-Old, Bauru-Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Yardstick, Huddart -Bodenham, Modified Huddart -Bodenham, EUROCRAN Yardstick, and GOAL Yardstick. The GOSLON Yardstick was the most commonly used index, and the Modified Huddart -Bodenham performed the best according to the WHO criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence suggests that the Modified Huddart -Bodenham Index equalled or outperformed the rest of the indices on all the WHO criteria and that the GOSLON Yardstick was the most commonly used index, possibly due to a longer time in use. Therefore, the Modified Huddart -Bodenham could be considered as the standard to measure outcomes of patients with CLP.

Dental arch relationships following palatoplasty for cleft lip and palate repair

Palatal scarring is assumed to be a primary cause of facial growth derangement in cleft lip and palate. Evidence supporting this hypothesis is confounded by the clinical involvement of various surgeons, and therefore definitive conclusions are not possible. In this study, we investigated the dental arch relationship in two groups, Exposed (47 children; 11.2 yrs) and Unexposed (61 children; 11.2 yrs), with a unilateral cleft lip and palate operated on by the same surgeon. The technique of hard palate repair differed between the two groups. In the Exposed group, palatal bone of the non-cleft side only was left denuded, inducing scar formation. In the Unexposed group, a vomerplasty with tight closure of the soft tissues was applied. Three raters graded the dental arch relationship and palatal morphology using the EUROCRAN Index. The dental arch relationship in the Exposed group was less favorable than in the Unexposed group (p = 0.009). Palatal morphology in both groups was comparable (p = 0.323). This study demonstrates that reduction of denuded bony areas on the palate after palatal repair with a vomer flap had a favorable effect on the dental arch relationship. For palatal morphology, no effect of the type of palatal repair was found.