Periodontal status in growing patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate

Aim of the study. To evaluate differences in
periodontal parameters and oral hygiene between
cleft and control sides in growing patients with
unilateral cleft. Materials and Methods: 15 patients,
aged 10 to 18 years, with unilateral cleft lip and
palate. Evaluation of probing pocket depth (PPD),
clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession
(REC), vestibule depth (VD), keratinized gingiva
(KG), presence of plaque (PCR) and bleeding on
probing (BoP) for eight maxillary anterior teeth were
performed. Types of fraena and mucosa deformities
were also evaluated. Results. Significant differences
for PD (but not for CAL) were found only at some
surfaces of lateral incisors and canines. Keratinized
gingiva was significantly narrower at lateral incisors,
canines and first premolars on the cleft side (mean
values were: 2.8 mm and 5.4 mm for lateral incisors,
2.7 mm and 3.9 mm for canines, 3.1 mm and 4.7 mm
for first premolars, respectively for the affected and
the control side). Significantly shallower vestibule
at central and lateral incisors was found at some
group of teeth (mean values were: 7.0 and 9.2 mm for
central incisors, 8.6 and 11.6 mm for lateral incisors,
respectively for the affected and control side). Due
to tissue malformations it was difficult to assess the
upper labial fraena. High scores were recorded for
PCR and BoP both on the cleft and the control side.
Conclusions. Malformations of soft tissues caused by cleft and previous surgical procedures negatively
affected periodontal parameters on the cleft side. It
is requisite to introduce periodontal assessment into
comprehensive approach in children with clefts to
control development of periodontal disease.