Dental Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dental, including details on implants, health, hygiene, cosmetic, dentistry.

Retrospective evaluation of treatment outcome in Japanese children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Part 1: five-year-olds' index for dental arch relationships.

Suzuki A, Yoshizaki K, Honda Y, Sasaguri M, Kubota Y, Nakamura N, Ohishi M, Oka M, Tashiro H, Katsuki T, Fujino H

Objective: To evaluate the dental arch relationships of Japanese children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and to examine the 5-year-olds' index for its validity. Design: Retrospective study and comparison with previous reports. Subjects: One hundred thirty-six children with complete UCLP who received primary cheiloplasty and palatoplasty in the Kyushu University Hospital from 1966 to 1999. Materials: Dental models taken from children 53 to 67 months of age and their cephalograms. Methods: Study models were assessed using five scores; 1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = fair, 4 = poor, and 5 = very poor, in accordance with the 5-year-olds' index and also evaluated using Huddart and Bodenham's numerical classification. Dental arch widths, three-dimensional maxillary dental arch form, and lateral cephalograms were traced and measured. The outcome by 5-year-olds' index was compared with Huddart and Bodenham's numerical classification, dental arch dimensions, and cephalometric measurements. Results: Occlusal outcome evaluated by the 5-year-olds' index was rated 2.95, which was classified as fair. This index rating showed a significant relationship with numerical classification and dental arch length, but not with dental arch width. The index showed a relationship with mandibular form and position, but not with maxillary position. Conclusion: The occlusal outcome of the cases with UCLP was fair as evaluated using the 5-year-olds' index. The index evaluates the anteroposterior relationship of maxillary/mandibular dental arches but does not evaluate the collapse of maxillary segments.

Published 4 July 2007 in Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 44(4): 434-43.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Dental Research Today. All Rights Reserved.