Comparison of craniofacial morphology characteristics along with dental caries status and salivary properties of operated cleft lip and palate patients with noncleft patients.

Background: Cleft lip and palate patients undergo many primary reconstructive surgical procedures which could lead to various changes in the facial morphology with growth. The most common diagnosis is unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and such patients are more prone to dental caries.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the lateral cephalometric landmarks, dental caries status, and salivary properties of surgically repaired UCLP children aged 6-15 years with lateral cephalometric landmarks, dental caries status, and salivary properties of noncleft children of the same age group.

Materials and methods: Twelve noncleft patients and 12 surgically repaired UCLP patients were chosen, and cephalometric analysis, salivary analysis, and dental caries status were recorded for both the groups. The data were then compared for both the groups.

Statistical analysis: It was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05.

Results: In surgical repair ULCP children, their was increased prevalance of dental caries along with decrease level of salivary calcium, Phosphorus,flow rate. Also, their was increased level of alkaline phosphatase, total protein level with acidic pH alongwith retruded maxillary complex with Class III malocclusion.

Conclusion: Various primary reconstructive surgeries in UCLP children lead to maxillary retrusion with an increased prevalence of dental caries in these patients due to the maintenance of poor oral hygiene.