The effect of infant orthopedics on the occlusion of the deciduous dentition in children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (Dutchcleft).
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the effect of infant orthopedics (IO) on the occlusion of the deciduous dentition in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).


METHODS
Prospective, two-arm, randomized, controlled clinical trial with three participating cleft palate centers (Dutchcleft).


METHODS
Cleft Palate Centers of the University Medical Center Nijmegen, Academic Center of Dentistry Amsterdam, and Dijkzigt University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Children with complete UCLP (n = 54) were included.


METHODS
In a concealed allocation procedure, half of the patients was randomized to wear a plate till surgical closure of the soft palate (IO+), and the other half (IO-) did not have a plate.


METHODS
Dental arch relationships were assessed at 4 and 6 years of age with the 5-year-old index; the Huddart-score; and measurements of overjet, overbite, and sagittal occlusion.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences found between the IO+ and IO- groups for the 5-year-old index; the Huddart-score; and overjet, overbite, and sagittal occlusion.


CONCLUSIONS
IO had no observable effect on the occlusion in the deciduous dentition at 4 and 6 years of age. Considering the occlusion only, there is no need to perform IO in children with UCLP.
Bongaarts
Catharina A M
CA
Department of Orthodontics and Oral Biology, University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Kuijpers-Jagtman
Anne M
AM
van 't Hof
Martin A
MA
Prahl-Andersen
Birte
B
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications*; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015588:Observer Variation; D009973:Orthodontics, Preventive / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous; D016896:Treatment Outcome