Comparison of periodontal disease in patients with clefts of palate and patients with unilateral clefts of lip, palate, and alveolus.

OBJECTIVE

Long-term health of the stomatognathic system as well as esthetic aspects are the therapeutic goals in patients with orofacial clefts. The aim of this study was to analyze the periodontal condition of patients with cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip, palate, and alveolus (CLP) and to determine the differing degrees and localization of periodontal disease.

DESIGN

In 30 patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus and 30 patients with cleft palate (CP), periodontal lesions were identified and classified according to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) and pathological mobility of teeth was noted. The state of oral hygiene was recorded by the Approximal Plaque Index.

RESULTS

In general, poor oral hygiene was found in all patients. Patients with CLP were classified as CPITN code 0 in 0%, codes 1 and 2 in 7%, code 3 in 43%, and code 4 in 50% of cases. Patients with cleft palate showed code 0 in 0%, codes 1 and 2 in 30%, code 3 in 45%, and code 4 in 25% of cases. In this study, periodontal disease was found in patients with cleft palate to a similar extent to that in the general population, whereas patients with cleft lip, palate, and alveolus had a predisposition to deep periodontal destruction of teeth adjacent to the cleft. The registration of pathological mobility of teeth and resulting loss of attachment corresponded to the periodontal disease classification according to the CPITN.

CONCLUSION

A critical periodontal situation was found in patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus. In contrast, patients with cleft palate exhibited a similar periodontal situation to that found in the general population, with additional damage that may be attributed to orthodontic treatment.