Alveolar Bone Quality in Individuals With Cleft Lip and Palate With Missing Lateral Incisors: Orthodontic Space Closure Versus Space Opening.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the alveolar bone support of teeth adjacent to the cleft site in individuals with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) who have undergone either orthodontic space closure or space opening for missing lateral incisors.

A cross-sectional retrospective study.

University orthodontic clinic serving individuals with CLP.

Twenty-eight individuals with nonsyndromic CLP who were missing lateral incisors divided into 2 groups: space closure (21 subjects) and space opening (7 subjects).

Orthodontic space closure or space opening for replacement of missing lateral incisors in individuals with nonsyndromic CLP.

Buccal and palatal alveolar bone thickness were measured at 5 mm and 10 mm above the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) for cleft-adjacent central incisors and canines. Additionally, buccal, lingual, and proximal alveolar bony coverage ratio on cleft-side central incisors and canines were recorded.

No significant differences were observed in alveolar bone thickness and bony coverage between the space closure group and the space opening group, except for the buccal thickness 5 mm above the CEJ, which was thinner in the space closure group.

The overall alveolar bone support in the grafted alveolus in both the space closure and space opening groups were comparable.