Abstract
Objective:
To describe erupting maxillary canine positions in patients with bone-grafted alveolar clefts.
Sample:
The sample consisted of 101 cleft sites from patients with complete unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate who had early (≤9 years) or late (>9 years) secondary alveolar bone grafts.
Methods:
Canine position was assessed using panoramic radiographs taken before and after alveolar bone grafts. Vertical canine positions were assessed using the long axis of the maxillary permanent canine relative to a 90° vertical reference line. Lateral canine positions were defined using the relationship between the canine tip and the midplane of the lateral incisor root. Anomalous lateral incisors were recorded. Statistical analysis included Student's
Results:
Patients with alveolar clefts had a 20-fold increased risk for canine impaction, based on erupting canine positions. Abnormal vertical canine positions decreased following early and late alveolar bone grafts (
Conclusions:
Patients with alveolar clefts have a significantly higher risk for canine impaction compared with patients without clefts. Timing of alveolar bone grafts and lateral incisor anomalies influenced the risk for canine impaction. An alveolar bone graft should be planned in accordance with maxillofacial development, including the eruption of teeth adjacent to the cleft.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.