Ectopic eruption of maxillary first permanent molars in children with cleft lip.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molars in cleft patients. Panoramic radiographs of 70 Brazilian Caucasian children, 6 to 8 years old and with complete unilateral cleft lip and alveolus, were assessed. Fourteen of 70 patients (20%) presented with ectopic eruption of one or both maxillary first permanent molars. Sixteen of 19 ectopically erupted molars (85%) were of a reversible type of ectopic eruption and 3 (15%) were irreversible. No significant differences were found between sexes or between cleft sides.