Function of Nasoalveolar Molding Devices in Bilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate: A 3-Dimensional Maxillary Arch Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe and analyze the effects of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) on maxillary arch dimensions in patients with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCLP) using 3-dimensional analyses. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen infants were treated using modified Khon Kaen University presurgical nasoalveolar molding devices (KKU-NAM). Dental casts were evaluated 3 dimensionally at 3 time points: pretreatment (T1), after using modified KKU-NAM for 2 weeks (T2), and before cheiloplasty (T3). Repeated-measures analysis of variance and Friedman test were used to compare the maxillary arch dimensions between time points. RESULTS: Both sides of the cleft width, premaxilla deviation, and premaxilla protrusion had significantly reduced with the use of KKU-NAM. Premaxillary rotation had significantly improved, whereas the arch depth did not change significantly. Premaxilla width, posterior arch width, alveolar length, and height had significantly increased. The anterior arch width, intercanine width, and lateral sulcus width showed no significant changes. The intraclass correlation coefficient used to test the measurements indicated substantial reliability. CONCLUSION: The modified KKU-NAM is an effective device for reducing the severity of bilateral cleft deformities, especially in the premaxilla area.

Evaluation of Postorthodontic Changes in the Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate Patients Using the PAR Index.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dental changes in cleft patients after undergoing orthodontic treatment for at least 2 years. HYPOTHESIS: The dental change would decline significantly after 2 years of completing orthodontic treatment. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. PATIENT: Eighteen repaired cleft lip and palate patients from the Faculty of Dentistry, KhonKaen University, Thailand, participated in this study. MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES: A dental model with before treatment (T0), completed treatment (T1), and retention period (T2) data was analyzed using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index. RESULT: The results showed that the PAR score improved enormously after treatment; from T0 to T1, it was 34.00 ± 10.01 to 4.67 ± 2.47, and there was a reversion in the retention period. There was statistical significance between T0, T1, and T2, with P values <.001, .005, and <.001 when comparing T0 with T1, T1 with T2, and T0 with T2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Occlusion in cleft lip and palate patients changed from the time of completing treatment to the final results after the retention period. To sustain satisfactory results, orthodontists should plan carefully for the retention period before performing the treatment.

Evaluation of the Effects of Cheiloplasty on Maxillary Arch in UCLP Infants Using Three-Dimensional Digital Models.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and identify changes in the maxillary dental arch before and after cheiloplasty in a group of unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) infants. DESIGN: This is a cohort study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Study models from 16 infants with nonsyndromic UCLP, who were treated at Khon Kaen University, were taken before (T1) and after cheiloplasty (T2). The dental models underwent a process of scanning through a 3D scanner, from which 9 linear and 2 angular landmarks were evaluated. Paired t test was used to compare the measurement statistically between T1 and T2. RESULTS: Alveolar cleft gap (G-L), anterior basal angle (∠GC-CC'), and anterior arch curvature angle on greater segment (∠GIC) were significantly decreased (P < .05). Contrarily, anterior ridge length of greater segment (C-I), anterior ridge length of lesser segment (L-C'), and posterior arch width (T-T') were significantly increased (P < .05) after cheiloplasty. While, anterior portion of greater segment (I-G), anterior arch width (C-C'), anterior arch depth (I⊥CC'), arch length (G⊥TT'), and arch circumference (T-C-I-G-L-C'-T') showed no significant difference. The measurements were tested using the Intraclass correlation coefficient. The coefficients indicated high reliability. CONCLUSION: Cleft gap significantly decreased after lip repair, and the anterior part of maxillary dental arch was also bent palatally after cheiloplasty without any other intervention except cheiloplasty. More studies are needed to assess the amount of lip pressure. If any convincing force is presented, an appliance to prevent undesirable pressure is indicated.

The relationship between 3D dentofacial photogrammetry measurements and traditional cephalometric measurements.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between traditional cephalometric measurements and corresponding nonradiographic three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetry measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 20 orthodontic patients (10 male and 10 female) who received lateral cephalometric radiographs and 3D dentofacial photogrammetric records with each subject serving as his or her own control for a total sample size of 40 images (20 per method). A 3D analysis that resembled a traditional cephalometric analysis was established using the eyes and natural head orientation as substitutes for the cranial base. Pearson correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression plots were calculated to evaluate the relationship between the photogrammetry measurements and the cephalometric measurements. RESULTS: The ANB angle, mandibular plane angle, lower anterior face height, upper incisor angle to SN, upper incisor angle to NA, and all measurements of lower incisor position and inclination had strong positive Pearson correlation coefficients with the corresponding 3D photogrammetry measurements ( P < .004). Statistically significant regression plots demonstrated that cephalometric relationships between the jaws and incisor orientation can be predicted from corresponding 3D photogrammetry measurements. CONCLUSIONS: 3D photogrammetry measurements relating the jaws to each other and incisor orientation has a strong positive correlation with corresponding traditional cephalometric measurements and can serve as cephalometric predictors. Capturing the eyes using 3D photogrammetry can obviate the need to expose the cranial base and allow limiting the radiographic field to the area of interest.

Diagnosis and treatment planning of orthodontic patients with 3-dimensional dentofacial records.

INTRODUCTION: Cephalometrics has been the foundation of orthodontic diagnosis for many years. However, for many orthodontic patients, a lateral cephalogram might not be necessary. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnosis and treatment planning agreement between standard records and nonradiographic 3-dimensional (3D) dentofacial photogrammetry records. METHODS: Twenty patients had standard orthodontic records taken for their treatment as well as extraoral and intraoral 3D images. Twelve evaluators examined the standard records and then completed diagnosis and treatment planning questionnaires. They repeated the process 4 to 6 weeks later by using 3D photographic images along with the panoramic radiographs. Each evaluator also evaluated 2 random orthodontic cases twice with each method to evaluate consistency within each method. At the end of study, each evaluator was asked to complete a survey to document his or her experiences with the 3D photogrammetry method. Descriptive and kappa statistics were used to determine the agreement. RESULTS: Most diagnosis parameters had fair agreement between the methods and within each method. Skeletal and dental relationships had excellent agreement between and within the methods as well as most treatment decisions such as the need for extractions and surgery. Most evaluators (91.7%) thought that cephalometric x-rays would be needed only some of the time in diagnosis and treatment planning. Most evaluators (83.33%) thought that cephalometric radiographs are not needed in patients with a Class I ± a quarter cusp with crowding or spacing. CONCLUSIONS: Most diagnostic decisions had fair agreement within and between the 2 methods. The decision to extract and the need for orthognathic surgery had excellent agreement between the cephalometric and photogrammetric methods. The majority of examiners agreed that patients with Class I malocclusions ± a quarter cusp with no obvious skeletal discrepancy can be diagnosed and planned without a cephalometric radiograph.

3D dentofacial photogrammetry reference values: a novel approach to orthodontic diagnosis.

Background: Orthodontic diagnostic standards generally use the cranial base as a reference and rely on samples selected by orthodontists. Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide male and female standards for a novel non-radiographic approach for orthodontic diagnosis that utilizes 3D dentofacial photogrammetry using the eyes and natural head orientation as references instead of the cranial base. Methods: One hundred and eighty females and 200 males between the ages of 18 and 35 years from 2 modeling agencies were orthodontically screened for near ideal occlusion. Subjects that met the inclusion criteria were rated by a sample of 40 lay people for attractiveness on a visual analogue scale. The final sample that had 3D facial and dental imaging included 49 subjects 25 males and 24 females with near ideal occlusion and considered attractive by the public. Results: Inter and Intra-examiner ICC were greater than 0.8 for both landmarking and indexing. Relative to a coronal plane contacting the pupils (MC), the mean sagittal position of the alar curvature (representing the nasomaxillary complex) was 14.36 ± 3.08 mm in males and 12.4 ± 3.58 mm in females. The sagittal position of soft tissue pogonion relative to the pupils was 14.84 ± 3.63 mm in males and 12.78 ± 5.68 mm in females. The angle between the alar curvature and pogonion relative to the pupils was 9° in males and 10° in females. With the exception of the occlusal plane which was steeper in females, no ratios or angular facial measurements showed a significant gender difference. Relative to MC, males had more proclined upper incisors (20° vs 16°) and more retroclined Lower incisors (27° vs 31°; P > 0.05). A Procrustes ANOVA and permutation test showed that the shapes of males and females are different enough to be considered two distinct populations. Conclusions: 1. When using the proposed method for orthodontic diagnosis, male and female patients should be compared to their respective dentofacial standards. 2. Validation of the proposed method and standards on an orthodontic population is underway to determine the scope its use.