EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY CONTENTS.

Vol. 10 No. 2      June 2009

ISSN: 1591-996X      UBIC: 116-O

ABSTRACT: Aim The aims of this study were to assess and compare the dental development in patients with unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft hp and palate. Study design: Dental developmental delay was compared between 40 UCLP patients (20 boys and 20 girls, average age 9.6 +2.7 years) and 40 BCLP patients matched by sex and age (to the nearest 6 months). For the purpose of comparison, a total of 80 panoramic radio graphs of unaffected group matching in age and sex were selected randomly. Methods: Using panoramic radiographs, the seven left mandibular permanent teeth, second molar to central incisor were rated on eight stage scales using the methods described by Demirjian et al. [1973]. The stage of each tooth was converted to the corresponding numeric value, and then all values were added to obtain a dental maturity score, which corresponded to a dental age. Statistics: The differences in developmental de lay between the two cleft groups were determined using independent t-test. Results: There was statistically significant difference (P<0.0001) between chronologic and dental age in cleft patients. The mean dental development delay in UCLP was 0.34 years and for BCLP was 0.61 years. BCLP patients were found to have a greater delay than UCLP patients (P<0.05). Girls showed an advanced dental development in both types of clefts. Comparison between the two cleft groups showed only significant difference in the amount of delay in female subjects. Conclusions: Dental development in UCLP and BCLP patients was significantly delayed compared to non cleft reference. Dental development in boys was significantly behind that of girls. A significant difference in the amount of delay between both cleft types was found only in female subjects. KEYWORDS: Radiography; Panoramic; Cleft hp and palate; Tooth development.

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