Are Dental Maturation, Skeletal Maturation, and Chronological Age Associated With Complete Cleft Lip and Palate?

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between dental and skeletal development levels was determined in individuals with cleft lip and palate and a control group comprising individuals without cleft lip and palate.

DESIGN

Retrospective, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A university clinic specializing in orthodontic and pedodontic care.

PATIENTS

A total of 198 patients with cleft lip and palate (99 females, 11.66 ± 2.36 years; 99 males, 12.44 ± 2.33 years) and 198 patients without cleft lip and palate (99 females, 11.88 ± 2.26 years; 99 males, 12.99 ± 2.25 years).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Demirjian method and cervical vertebra maturation method were used to evaluate panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs, respectively. The Fishman maturation predictors were determined from hand-wrist radiographs.

RESULTS

Statistically significant correlations were found between the chronological age and the dental age in both the groups ( < .05). Significant correlations between skeletal maturation indicators and dental maturation indicators were observed in both groups and sexes ( < .05), with a stronger correlation among teeth with incomplete dental maturation. Dental age was found to be significantly lower (female, = .001; male, = .001) in individuals with cleft lip and palate (female, 11.71 ± 2.58 years; male, 12.51 ± 2.62 years) compared to those in the control group (female, 12.95 ± 2.47 years; male, 13.64 ± 2.37 years).

CONCLUSIONS

A high correlation between the results of the evaluated radiographic methods and chronological age supports their use for accurate age estimation in the patients with cleft lip and palate.