Longitudinal 3D Assessment of Dental Arches in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate Before and After Oral Rehabilitation
Victor Fabrizio Cabrera Pazmiño, Simone Soares (Miraglia)Objective
To evaluate longitudinally, using 3D laser scanning, the area and volume of dental arches in young adults with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) after oral rehabilitation, compared with non-cleft individuals.
Design
Retrospective longitudinal observational study reported according to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines.
Setting
Tertiary referral center for cleft lip and palate.
Participants
Fifty-five patients (18–30 years): FPDG (
Interventions
Similar orthodontic treatment and rapid maxillary expansion for all. FPDG and ISPG then received fixed partial dentures or implant-supported prostheses, respectively.
Main Outcome Measures
Primary outcomes: changes (Δ = T2 − T1) in the palatal area (mm 2 ) and volume (mm 3 ). 110 digital models (3Shape R700™) analyzed using Mimics 17.0 and Mirror 2.8.3. T1: after orthodontics (CG) or after orthodontics needing prosthesis (FPDG/ISPG); T2: 1 year after orthodontics (CG) or 1 year after prosthesis delivery (FPDG/ISPG).
Results
UCLP groups had significantly smaller areas and volumes than CG at T1 and T2 (
Conclusions
Both FPD and ISP maintained arch stability one year after rehabilitation, with a trend toward greater stabilization in the FPD group. Both groups had smaller dimensions than non-cleft controls, whose arches remained stable. Longer follow-up is needed.