Prospective cohort 3D study of dental arches in children with bilateral orofacial cleft: Assessment of volume and superimposition

Abstract

Background Cohort studies have evaluated dental arches of children. Aim To evaluate the volumetric, linear, palatal surface area, and the dental arch superimposition of participants with bilateral complete cleft lip (BCL) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) surgically treated in a specialized hospital. Design One hundred and thirty six digitized dental models evaluated before cheiloplasty (T1), after cheiloplasty (T2), and after palatoplasty (T3). The stereophotogrammetry software analysed the volume, palate superimposition, linear, and area measurements. Results In BCL group, at T2, C–C′, T–T′, area, and volume significantly increased (P = .000, P < .000, P = .010 e P = .003, respectively). In BCLP group, the comparison T3 × T1 showed that C–C′ decreased, whereas T–T′ and the area increased (P < .000, P < .000, P = .000). The volume increased at T2, but decreased at T3 (P < .000) in participants with BCLP. The intergroup analysis revealed that C–C′, T–T′, I–C′, and I–C were significantly smaller in participants with BCLP (P < .000, P = .016, P = .001 e P = .020, respectively), whereas the volume, superimposition, and area were statistically similar between groups (P > .05). Conclusion The comparison between bilateral orofacial clefts showed reduction in the transversal and anteroposterior linear measurements, but not in the area and volume, which was confirmed by the superimposition of the dental arches.

Use of 3D stereophotogrammetry for volumetric analyses and image superimposition of dental arches before and after surgery of individuals with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate

“…The 2D analyses may not provide the real palate growth. In this context, a positive RMS value greater than zero indicated 3D growth of the dental arches (1). Moreover, the statistical similarity between UCL and UCLP groups exhibited that 3D growth occurred in both groups comparably.…”

“…To test the normality, Shapiro-Wilk test was applied. Paired t test and Dahlberg formula evaluated the intraexaminer reliability, which was executed in 20 models, measured again after two weeks (1,3). Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post-hoc Dunn test was applied to compare three groups independent sample groups, that is, UCL group, UCLP group and mismatches group.…”

“…Both biological (evolution and anatomic variations) and forensic (human identification) anthropologic analyses of the dental arches are commonly performed by two-dimensional (2D) comparisons such as linear and angular parameters, silhouette, and surface (area) measurements. However, currently, devices are capable of scanning and virtually reconstructing the dental arches in three-dimensions (3D), taking the comparative analyses of the anatomic structures to another level (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…Thus, nowadays, it is possible to perform comparative analyses by using 3D-3D superimposition through the use of devices capable of capturing and reconstructing the objects in three-dimensions. This has been largely used in forensic area for human identification (8,9), but little in the human evolutive anthropometry (1). In evolutive anthropometry, 3D-3D superimposition may help to understanding the development of the dental arches with congenital alterations after a given treatment protocol.…”

Evaluation of palatal volume in children with cleft lip and palate: a comparison of two surgical protocols

“…The analysis of the dental cast through pre-determined anatomic points marked on 3D images have been used for evaluating individuals with oral clefts [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. The virtual evaluation of dental arch morphology is an easy procedure and improves the diagnosis and treatment planning tailored for each individual.…”