Exposure of Cleft Lip and Palate Patients to Toxic Elements Released during Orthodontic Treatment in the Study of Non-Invasive Matrices

Abstract

The ObjectiveThe aim of the study was evaluation of metal ions (nickel and chromium) released from orthodontic appliances in cleft lip and palate patients and the usefulness of non-invasive matrices (saliva and hair).Materials and MethodsThe material studied consisted of 100 individuals, including 59 females and 41 males of 5 to 16 years of age, which were divided into 3 groups: experimental–patients with cleft lip and palate (36 individuals, the average treatment time 5.74 years); control group–patients without cleft lip and palate, during orthodontic treatment (32 individuals, the average treatment time 1.78 years) and the control group patients without cleft lip and palate, without any orthodontic appliances (32 individuals). Samples (saliva, hair) were collected and subjects underwent a survey by questionnaire. Multi-elemental analyses of the composition of non-invasive matrices was conducted in an accredited laboratory by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry technique ICP-OES. The results were reported as mean contents of particular elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Si) in hair and in saliva.ResultsThe concentration of Cr, Ni, Fe and Cu ions in saliva of cleft lip and palate patients were several times higher as compared with not treated orthodontically control groups and higher than in the group with orthodontic appliances. Among the assessed matrices, hair of cleft lip and palate patients seem to be not a meaningful biomarker.ConclusionIt was found that orthodontic appliances used in long-term treatment of cleft lip and palate patients do not release toxic levels of Cr and Ni ions.

Radiographic Study of the Prevalence and Distribution of Hypodontia Associated with Unilateral and Bilateral Clef Lip and Palate in a Hungarian Population

“…Although the ratio that we could found was not as high as that in the literature, a comparable gender distribution was also found in our study sample. The composition of the cleft sample with UCLP being more prevalent, and being more frequent on the left side, is in accordance with most reports [ 2 , 35 , 70 , 97 , 126 ].…”

“…The highest incidence of missing teeth is usually found in CLP patients [ 34 , 58 ] and is generally much higher compared to the healthy population [ 2 ]. It largely depends on the methodology used and the cleft sample studied, so a large range of values for missing teeth in cleft patients can be found.…”

“…Right-sided clefts were far less likely to have missing teeth, whereas the prevalence of tooth agenesis was considerably higher on the cleft side [ 33 ]. This might possibly be because left-sided UCLP are more frequent [ 2 , 35 , 70 , 97 , 126 ], but there are not any explanations for this in the literature.…”

“…By contrast, Shapira et al found a cleft side predominance for missing lateral incisors and second premolars in the maxillary and mandibular arch [ 42 ]. However, there is a positive correlation between hypodontia and severity of the cleft, with an increasing frequency of missing teeth as the severity of the cleft increases, resulting in more missing teeth in UCLP and BCLP patients with more teeth missing both inside and outside the cleft area [ 1 , 2 , 33 , 36 , 56 , 60 , 85 , 99 – 101 ]. For example, in UCLP patients the second upper premolar was missing in 11.8–52.6% [ 2 , 33 , 60 , 81 , 85 , 86 , 95 , 97 ], and in BCLP patients values of 21.6–68.4% [ 2 , 60 , 97 , 102 ] have been reported.…”

Trace Elements in Living Systems: From Beneficial to Toxic Effects

“…The effect of trace metals on living organisms can be investigated directly by using various biomonitoring techniques, for example, hair mineral analysis [4, 5] or analysis of other noninvasive matrices (urine and saliva) [6]. In some cases using invasive matrices seems essential, for example, blood.…”