Correlation between Cleft Width and Adjacent Teeth Inclination in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using CBCT: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: To evaluate buccolingual and mesiodistal inclination of cleft-adjacent maxillary permanent central incisors (U1) and canines (U3) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in the late mixed dentition and to investigate the correlation between the alveolar cleft width and cleft-adjacent teeth inclination using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Design: Observational cross-sectional retrospective study.

Setting: Department of Orthodontics, Hama University Dental School.

Patients: 32 patients with UCLP (22 boys, 10 girls; mean age = 10.53 ± 1.51 years).

Main outcome measure: Buccolingual and mesiodistal inclination of maxillary central incisors and canines were measured on both sides. Then, the cleft and non-cleft sides were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Pearson's correlation was used to explore the association between the alveolar cleft width and cleft-adjacent U1 and U3 buccolingual and mesiodistal inclination.

Results: The cleft-adjacent central incisors were significantly inclined lingually and distally compared with their non-cleft antimeres (P = .003, P < .001, respectively). The cleft-adjacent canines were significantly inclined buccally and mesially compared with their non-cleft antimeres (P < .001, for both). A positive correlation was found between the buccolingual inclination of cleft-adjacent U1 and the alveolar cleft width (r = 0.49, P = .004).

Conclusions: Patients with UCLP demonstrated a significant lingual and distal inclination of cleft-adjacent U1 and a significant buccal and mesial inclination of cleft-adjacent U3. The buccolingual inclination of cleft-adjacent U1 tends to increase with increasing the alveolar cleft width; however, the correlation was weak.