Alveolar bone heights of maxillary central incisors in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients using cone-beam computed tomography evaluation.

PURPOSE: The aims of this retrospective cross-sectional study were to measure and compare labial and palatal alveolar bone heights of maxillary central incisors in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients, following STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 16 years. High-resolution cone-beam computed tomography was performed at least one year after secondary alveolar bone grafting. The experimental side was the cleft side and the contralateral side without congenital cleft was the control. Measurements were performed on incisors' midsagittal cross-sections. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons. RESULTS: The labial and palatal distances between alveolar bone crests and cementoenamel junctions were significantly greater on the cleft side than on the noncleft side. Mean differences were 0.75 and 1.41 mm, respectively. The prevalence of dehiscences at the cleft side maxillary central incisors was 52% on the labial surface and 43% on the palatal surface. In the controls, it was 19% and 14%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The cleft-adjacent maxillary central incisors had more apically displaced alveolar bone crests on the labial and palatal sides of the roots than the controls. Higher prevalence of dehiscences was found on the cleft side. Bone margin differences predispose to gingival height differences of the central incisors. These differences could increase the demands of patients to obtain more esthetic treatment results with orthodontic extrusion and periodontal intervention on the cleft side.

Duration of the pubertal growth spurt in patients with increased craniofacial growth component in sagittal and vertical planes-retrospective and cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to assess the skeletal age at the onset and end of the pubertal growth spurt and determine its duration in four growth type groups: (1) normodivergent skeletal Class I (I N), (2) normodivergent skeletal Class III (III N), (3) high-angle skeletal Class III (III H) and (4) high-angle skeletal Class I (I H). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred thirteen subjects were selected from 2163 examined files. The cervical vertebral maturation stage was recorded by means of Baccetti's method. The sagittal and vertical skeletal relations were evaluated according to Steiner analysis with Kaminek's modification. The duration of the pubertal growth spurt was calculated from the difference between the means of the chronological age related to CS3 and CS4 maturation stages. RESULTS: The shortest lasting pubertal growth spurt was observed in group I N (1.1), followed by group III N (1.6). Major differences between arithmetic means CS4-CS3 were seen in groups I H and III H (2.3 and 2.7, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The following tendency was observed in the duration of the pubertal growth spurt: I N < III N < I H < III H. This tendency has statistical significance only in high-angle patients in comparison with normodivergent skeletal Class I. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Knowledge on the longer pubertal growth spurt in high-angle patients compared to patients with normal anteroposterior and vertical relationships can be useful in the selection of an appropriate therapeutic method and a treatment time.

Assessment of the duration of the pubertal growth spurt in patients with skeletal open bite : A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSES: The objectives were to assess the skeletal age of patients with skeletal open bite and to estimate and compare the mean chronological age related to CS3 and CS4 (cervical stage, CS) and the duration of the pubertal growth spurt (PGS). METHODS: Orthodontic records of 145 patients were analyzed in this retrospective cross-sectional study. The study group comprised 104 patients with skeletal open bite (angle between cranial base plane line [NS] and mandible base plane line [ML] > 39° according to Steiner), whereas the control group comprised 41 patients with normal anteroposterior and vertical measurements. Skeletal age was assessed using the 6­stage CVM (cervical vertebral maturation) method according to Baccetti. Quantitative variables were characterized by means of the arithmetic mean and standard deviation. The PGS duration was calculated as the difference between the means of the chronological ages related to CS3 and CS4. RESULTS: In the study group, the arithmetic means related to CS3 and CS4 were 11.12 and 13.54 years, respectively; the duration of the PGS was 2.42 years. In the control group, the arithmetic means related to CS3 and CS4 were 10.71 and 11.82 years, respectively; the duration of the PGS was 1.11 years. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with skeletal open bite, the duration of PGS is longer but it occurs at a similar chronological age compared to patients with normal anteroposterior and vertical measurements. The PGS in males begins later than in females. Knowledge on the longer growth spurt in patients with skeletal open bite compared to patients with normal anteroposterior and vertical relationships can be useful in the selection of an appropriate therapeutic method and also provides information about the possibility of a longer and thus more effective orthopedic approach directed at positive change in the vertical growth pattern during intense bone remodeling.

A novel method for alveolar bone grafting assessment in cleft lip and palate patients: cone-beam computed tomography evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to present a new method for secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) assessment and to qualitatively evaluate the SABG results in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research was conducted according to the STROBE guidelines. The study group consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 16 years. High-resolution cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed at least 1 year after grafting. The experimental side was the cleft side, and the contralateral side without a congenital cleft was the control. Measurements were performed at four levels of the maxillary central incisors' roots according to the new scale with scores from 0 to 3. The sum of the scores provided a general assessment of bone architecture. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons, and a Kappa coefficient was used for reproducibility measurements. RESULTS: High individual variability was found, and the bone architecture was significantly worse on the cleft side than on the noncleft side. The results showed 28.57% failure, 33.33% poor, 19.05% moderate, and 19.05% good results from the surgical procedure. Kappa coefficients produced results from 0.92 to 1.00 for intra-rater and from 0.81 to 1.00 for inter-rater reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT provides detailed information about alveolar bone morphology. The new assessment method is useful at every treatment stage and provides excellent repeatability. SABG did not provide good bone morphology, in most cases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This research presents a new universal alternative for the assessment of SABG by utilizing CBCT.

Current methods for secondary alveolar bone grafting assessment in cleft lip and palate patients - A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The development of 3D X-ray diagnostics has led to new methods for secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) assessment. The aim of this study was to collect and present literature from the years 2007-2018, and review on the current treatment outcome assessment methods for SABG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of literature from 2007 to 2018 was carried out, following PRISMA guidelines. 426 records were identified after duplicate references had been removed. 25 articles were included in the review. The Cochrane Collaboration tool or the methodological index for non-randomized studies was used for quality evaluation. RESULTS: Computed tomography and cone beam computed tomography were preferentially used for SABG treatment outcome verification. There were different assessment protocols. Due to the ways in which results were presented, methods were divided into five groups: linear measurements, volumetric measurements, density measurements, percentage ratios, and scales. There was only one randomized, controlled trial with high methodological quality. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Currently, 3D X-ray imaging is a standard treatment outcome verification method for SABG. 2. It is necessary to establish the required postoperative follow-up time for best SABG treatment outcome assessment. More prospective studies to assess bone graft outcomes after 6 months and 1 year are required.

Is the cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method effective enough to replace the hand-wrist maturation (HWM) method in determining skeletal maturation?-A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Chronological age provides only general information on the development of a child/adolescent. However, the biological age of the patient is more significant. One of the methods is the determination of the bone age based on the development of the hand and wrist bones. In 1972 a method for assessing cervical vertebral maturation on the cephalometric radiographs was introduced (CVM method). As a result, additional patient radiation was eliminated. Currently, this type of radiograph is routinely applied in orthodontic treatment. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of the CVM method and to verify the assumption, according to which the CVM method modified by Baccetti et al. may replace the method for the assessment of skeletal maturation based on a hand-wrist X-ray, which is known as the hand-wrist maturation (HWM) method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study reviewed the literature between 2006 and 2016. In the first stage of selection 905 articles were obtained. Finally, 10 articles were enrolled for the review. RESULTS: All of the studies presented a high level of correlation between the examined methods. In eight articles the researchers admitted that the CVM classification could replace the HWM method, known as the "gold standard". In two studies, the researchers suggested considering the CVM method an additional method despite its compatibility and usefulness. The lowest correlation coefficient was 0.616 and the highest 0.937. DISCUSSION: The assessment of the skeletal age with the CVM is done on a cephalometric radiograph, routinely used in orthodontic practice, which makes it easy to apply. The determination of features of only C2, C3 and C4 vertebrae is possible even if the patient wears an X-ray protective thyroid collar. Therefore, the radiation dose is minimized. CONCLUSIONS: The CVM method shows a high level of correlation with the HWM method.

Clinical practice. Later orthodontic complications caused by risk factors observed in the early years of life.

Primary preventive strategies for oral health are an essential public health priority. Paediatricians have frequent contact with families during routine preventive visits in the child's first few years of life and are in an ideal and unique position, to advise families about the prevention of oral diseases in their children. Primary prevention is always recommended in very young children, to promote positive outcomes during childhood and later adulthood. The knowledge paediatricians acquire about orofacial growth may enhance the implementation and eventual success of a preventive programme. In view of the widespread lack of any orthodontic knowledge amongst paediatricians, this paper describes most common and distinctive symptoms appearing frequently in the early stages of a child's development that are easily detectable by clinicians. It is difficult to define preventive strategies to prevent malocclusion owing to its multifactorial origin. There are some recognised behaviours, however, that should be discouraged to allow for ideal craniofacial development and some that require early referral to the orthodontist. The following disorders are easily diagnosed by the paediatrician or parents and represent conditions in which early intervention might be appropriate to prevent future possible orofacial dysfunction: different sucking habits persisting beyond 3 years of age, mouth breathing and significant deviations from established teeth eruption norms. It is suggested that early referral to a paediatric dentist or orthodontist is indicated when any of these conditions are observed. In general, measures to prevent malocclusion should be based on providing good incentives to promote normal growth and development of the face and the elimination of potential interferences that may harm these processes.

Orthodontic characteristics of maxillary arch deficiency in 5-year-old patients undergoing unilateral cleft lip and palate repair with and without early gingivoplasty.

The purpose of this study was to compare the maxillary arch morphology in 5-year-old children treated for unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) with early gingivoplasty (EGP) and without this procedure (non-EGP). Three-dimensional (3-D) imaging was used to verify which measurements and to what degree specific orthodontic parameters differ in both groups. The study included 120 non-syndromic 4.5-5.5-year-old children treated surgically at the age of 6-18 months. Fifty-six children underwent EGP utilising a Skoog-type of technique. The (non-EGP) group consisted of 64 patients. Patients in both groups were treated without nasoalveolar moulding prior to cleft lip repair. The maxillary arch models were obtained and subjected to the 3-D computer-aided imaging procedure and metric analysis. Ten selected orthodontic measurements were calculated based on imaging landmarks. The computed data derived from models in both (EGP and non-EGP) groups were compared. The differences between groups were statistically analysed using Student's test. Five orthodontic measurements: the angle of the lesser segment inclination, dental arch radius of this segment, anterior palatal depth, palatal surface and length of dental arch demonstrate more severe maxillary underdevelopment in patients with previous EGP. The results reaffirm the negative impact of EGP with wide undermining of periosteal flaps on maxillary development and suggest that these five parameters may be the most sensitive early indicators of growth alteration.

Early cleft lip repair in children with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate: a case against primary alveolar repair.

All children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate will develop some degree of malocclusion regardless whether the alveolar cleft is repaired primarily or bone grafting is deferred. To evaluate the impact of early gingivoperiosteoplasty on occlusal relationships, dental models were obtained in 5-year-old patients who underwent early cleft lip and palate repair with primary boneless bone grafting (Skoog's method) (56 children) and without alveolar intervention (51 children). The Goslon's occlusion grading system was applied to evaluate occlusal relationships in both groups. Patients with early surgical intervention to repair alveolar cleft demonstrated poor occlusal relationship with the Goslon score 4 and 5, which will likely need an orthognathic corrective procedure (50% vs. 19.6% in patients without early primary dissection of the alveolar process). Results reaffirm that an inclusion of the alveolar process into the early primary lip repair adds to the severity of occlusal maldevelopment.