Orthodontic problems in repaired cleft lip and palate patients seen in a Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, North Eastern Nigeria

Background: Clefts of the orofacial complex are the second most prevalent birth defects anomalies. Management of children born with clefts is multidisciplinary with oral surgeons and orthodontists playing major roles. Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain the occlusal anomalies in patients who had undergone cleft lip and palate repair. Methods: Data was collected from participants using a pretested anonymous structured questionnaire. An examination of their occlusions was carried out on the same day. All findings were recorded on a data sheet. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20.0, and frequency tables of variables were generated. Significance was determined at a 95% confidence interval, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Twenty-four (75.0%) patients presented with at least one incisor with a positive overbite, 21 (65.63%) with a positive overjet, 16 (50.0%) with anterior tooth rotations, 13 (40.63%) had crossbite and edge-to-edge bite, and 8 (25.0%) had anterior tooth displacements. There was no recorded crossbite among patients with repaired cleft palate only. More than half of the participants 17 (53.8%) with anterior crossbite had repaired cleft lip and palate. Conclusion: Almost all the patients had untreated occlusal anomalies, and we are, therefore, recommending that an orthodontist be included in all Smile Train Teams in Nigeria to ensure total rehabilitation of cleft lip and palate patients.