Rehabilitative treatment of cleft lip and palate: experience of the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies/USP (HRAC/USP) - Part 5: Institutional outcomes assessment and the role of the Laboratory of Physiology

Arch Asymmetry in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate After Rehabilitation Treatment Using Stereophotogrammetry

ABSTRACT

Arch asymmetry in cleft patients is a current problem that interdisciplinary treatment aims to solve. This research proposed to analyze the final rehabilitation, according to the arch symmetry of these patients. Thirty-five patients aged between 18 and 30 years, rehabilitated with a fixed partial denture or implants in the cleft area. The analysis was performed using digitalized dental casts with a laser model scanner (R700TM; 3Shape A/S, Holmens Kanal 7, 1060, Copenhagen/Denmark), analyzed with a Vectra Analysis Module software program (VECTRA H1; Canfield Scientific, 4 Wood Hollow Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054). Three linear measurements were evaluated, incisal-canine, canine-molar, and incisal-molar distance. The Student t test was applied to test the significance (P = 0.05) of an observed sample by correlation coefficient test (r-value). Female patients showed a significant correlation in arch symmetry. According to the rehabilitation treatment, patients who received implants showed a high correlation and significant symmetry at all maxillary distances. Finally, according to the cleft side in the maxillary dimensions, even though the majority of patients had clefts on the left side, only patients with a cleft on the right side showed symmetry in this area. Patients rehabilitated with implants in the cleft area showed a more symmetrical maxillary arch than those restored with fixed partial dentures.

Internal nasal dimensions of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate and maxillary atresia: comparison between acoustic rhinometry technique and cone-beam computed tomography

PURPOSE

To compare the nasal cavity geometry of children and teenagers with cleft lip and palate and maxillary atresia by two methods: cone-beam computed tomography, considered the gold standard, and acoustic rhinometry.

METHODS

Data on cone-beam computed tomography and acoustic rhinometry examinations of 17 children and teenagers with cleft lip and palate and maxillary atresia, previously obtained for orthodontic planning purposes, were evaluated prospectively. Using Dolphin Imaging 11.8 software, the nasal cavity was reconstructed by two evaluators, and the internal nasal volumes were obtained. Using rhinometry, the volumes of regions V1 and V2 were measured. The values of each examination were then compared at a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed high intra- and inter-rater reproducibility in the cone-beam computed tomography analysis. The mean internal nasal volumes (± standard deviation) obtained using acoustic rhinometry and cone-beam computed tomography corresponded to 6.6 ± 1.9 cm3 and 8.1 ± 1.5 cm3, respectively. The difference between the examinations was 17.7%, which was considered statistically significant (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

The nasal volumes measured via the two methods were different; that is, they presented discrepancies in the measurements. The gold standard technique identified larger volumes than acoustic rhinometry in the nasal cavity. Therefore, determining which test reflects clinical reality is an essential future step.

Stereophotogrammetry to evaluate young adults with and without cleft lip and palate after orthodontic and restorative treatment

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Patients with cleft lip and palate generally present with lateral incisor agenesis, which may be treated with an implant-supported prosthesis. However, whether implants can stabilize the dental arches in patients with cleft lip and palate is unclear.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to analyze the stability of the maxillary dental arch after orthodontic treatment and oral rehabilitation in the cleft area with an implant-supported prosthesis or a fixed partial denture.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-five participants, 20 with unilateral cleft lip and palate rehabilitated with implants (CLPI), 15 with unilateral cleft lip and palate rehabilitated with fixed partial dentures (CLPFP), and 20 in the noncleft group (NCLP) and their gypsum casts (N=110) were digitized and evaluated through 3D stereophotogrammetry. Measurements were made on casts obtained immediately after the orthodontic treatment (T1); for the cleft lip and palate group, casts were made 1 year after implant-supported restoration placement (T2), and for the noncleft group, 1 year after the conclusion of the orthodontic treatment (T2). The dimensions of the dental arches were measured digitally. Formula Δ=T2-T1 evaluated the stability of dental arches for intercanine distances, intermolar distances, arch length, palate surface, and volume (3D). Stability (Δ) was compared through 1-way ANOVA in all groups (α=.05).

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found in the stability of the CLPI and CLPFP groups for intercanine measurement (P=.002). For the intermolar measurement, a statistically significant difference was detected between the CLPFP and NCLP groups (P=.002). From the 3D measurements, the stability was similar in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with clefts, a fixed partial denture may provide better stability of the orthodontic outcomes than an implant-supported prosthesis. However, greater instability occurred at the molar area.

Assessment of dental arch stability after orthodontic treatment and oral rehabilitation in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and non-clefts patients using 3D stereophotogrammetry

BACKGROUND

Although arch stability has been studied in patients without a cleft, evidence for patients with a cleft is sparse. Therefore, we compared the dimensions and stability of dental arches in cleft lip and palate patients and those without a cleft.

METHODS

Forty participants, 20 with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and 20 non-cleft patients aged from 18 to 30 years, with anterior and/or posterior crossbite and receiving orthodontic treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Eighty gypsum casts were digitized using a laser model scanner casts for both groups made immediately after the orthodontic treatment was completed (T1). Also, for the Cleft Lip and Palate group, casts were obtained and digitized 1 year after implant-supported rehabilitation (T2) and for the Non-Cleft Lip and Palate group, 1 year after the conclusion of the orthodontic treatment (T2). The formula: Δ = T2-T1 evaluated the stability of dental arches for inter-canine distances (C-C'), inter-molar distances (M-M'), arch length (I-M), palate surface and volume. The dimensions of the dental arches were measured digitally. The independent t test was used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

A statistical difference was found in the stability of the groups for inter-canine (cleft area) measurement. At the times T1 and T2, a statistically significant difference was found in the arch length, surface and volume.

CONCLUSIONS

This study concluded that in the Cleft Lip and Palate group, the maxillary dimensions were not stabilized after 1 year of orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment (mainly for the inter-canine linear measurement) and that the transverse arch dimensions were smaller compared with those of non-cleft patients.

Volumetric reconstruction and determination of minimum crosssectional area of the pharynx in patients with cleft lip and palate: comparison between two different softwares

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of volumetric reconstruction of the pharynx by comparing the volume and minimum crosssectional area (mCSA) determined with open-source applications (ITK-Snap, www.itksnap.org ; SlicerCMF) and commercial software (Dolphin3D, 11.8, Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions, Chatsworth, CA, USA) previously validated in the literature.

Material and Methods:

The sample comprised of 35 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate, with mean age of 29±15. Three-dimensional volumetric models of the pharynx were reconstructed using semi-automatic segmentation using the applications ITK-Snap (G1) and Dolphin3D (G2). Volumes and minimum cross-sectional areas were determined. Inter- and intra-observer error were calculated using ICC test. Comparison between applications was calculated using the Wilcoxon test.

Results:

Volumes and minimum crosssectional area were statistically similar between applications. ITK-Snap showed higher pharynx volumes, but lower mCSA. Visual assessment showed that 62.86% matched the region of mCSA in Dolphin3D and SPHARM-PDM.

Conclusion:

Measurements of volume and mCSA are statistically similar between applications. Therefore, open-source applications may be a viable option to assess upper airway dimensions using CBCT exams.

Impact of Orofacial Dysfunction on the Quality of Life of Adult Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the prevalence of orofacial dysfunctions (ODs) and quality of life (QoL) in adults with and without a cleft lip and palate.

DESIGN

Cross sectional.

SETTING

Craniofacial Center, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

The study was composed of a sample of 120 patients: 60 adults in the cleft lip and palate group (CLPG) and 60 adults in the control group with no craniofacial anomalies. Each patient underwent an interview and clinical examination, using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S) and the 36-Item Short Form Survey. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, χ², and the Spearman correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

There was a higher prevalence of OD in CLPG (P < .001) on the NOT-S. The adults in the CLPG had higher QoL in the areas of general health (P = .003), physical function (P = .014), social function (P < .001), and vitality (P = .006). The CLPG had significant associations between higher OD and lower QoL for general health (P = .004), emotional role function (P = .028), and vitality (P = .05).

CONCLUSION

Orofacial dysfunctions were more prevalent in adults with a cleft, negatively impacting their QoL in general health, emotional role function, and vitality. However, adults with a cleft also had significantly higher QoL, reflecting possible resiliency when compared to adults without a cleft.

Quality of life of individuals with cleft lip and palate pre- and post-surgical correction of dentofacial deformity

Abstract OBJECTIVE To assesses the quality of life and the impact of oral health conditions in the pre- and post-surgical correction of dentofacial deformity of individuals with cleft lip and palate. METHOD Quantitative and prospective study in a referral hospital in the period from June 2011 to May 2013. A total of 50 participants responded the questionnaires World Health Organization Quality of Life - Bref (WHOQOL-Bref) and Oral Health Impact Profile - 14 (OHIP-14), approximately 3 days before and 3 to 12 months after surgery. The "t" test for paired samples and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS After surgery, differences were found in the domains: Physical, Psychological, Environmental and General Questions of the WHOQOL-Bref and domains: Psychological Discomfort, Psychological Disability, Social Disability, Handicap and Overall Score of OHIP-14. CONCLUSION Surgical correction of dentofacial deformity improved quality of life and had positive impact of oral health condition.