Search

Orofacial clefts are the most prevalent craniofacial congenital anomalies, affecting the lip, with or without involvement of the palate, or solely the palate [...]

The Laboratory of Physiology provides support for the diagnosis of functional disorders associated with cleft lip and palate and also conducts studies to assess, objectively, the institutional outcomes, as recommended by the World Health Organization. The Laboratory is conceptually divided into three units, namely the Unit for Upper Airway Studies, Unit for Stomatognathic System Studies and the Unit for Sleep Studies, which aims at analyzing the impact of different surgical and dental procedures on the upper airways, stomatognathic system and the quality of sleep of individuals with cleft lip and palate. This paper describes the main goals of the Laboratory in the assessment of procedures which constitute the basis of the rehabilitation of cleft lip and palate, i.e., Plastic Surgery, Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Surgery and Speech Pathology.

Treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate is completed with fixed prostheses, removable, total, implants and aims to restore aesthetics, phonetics and function and should be guided by the basic principles of oral rehabilitation, such as physiology, stability, aesthetics, hygiene and the expectations of the patient. In order to obtain longevity of a prosthetic rehabilitation, the periodontal and dental tissue as well as the biomechanics of the prosthesis are to be respected. The purpose of this article is to describe the types of prosthetics treatment, which are performed at HRAC/USP for the rehabilitation of cleft area in adult patients.

Objectives: This investigation aimed to assess the optimal timing for lip repair in children with cleft lip and palate via 3D anthropometric analysis to evaluate their maxillofacial structures. Methods: The sample comprised 252 digitized dental models, divided into groups according to the following timing of lip repair: G1 (n = 50): 3 months; G2 (n = 50): 5 and 6 months; G3 (n = 26): 8 and 10 months. Models were evaluated at two-time points: T1: before lip repair; T2: at 5 years of age. Linear measurements, area, and Atack index were analyzed. Results: At T1, the intergroup analysis revealed that G1 had statistically significant lower means of I-C′, I-C, C-C′, and the sum of the segment areas compared to G2 (p = 0.0140, p = 0.0082, p = 0.0004, p < 0.0001, respectively). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference when comparing the cleft area between G2 and G3 (p = 0.0346). At T2, the intergroup analysis revealed that G1 presented a statistically significant mean I-C′ compared to G3 (p = 0.0461). In the I-CC’ length analysis, G1 and G3 showed higher means when compared to G2 (p = 0.0039). The I-T′ measurement was statistically higher in G1 than in G2 (p = 0.0251). In the intergroup growth rate analysis, G1 and G2 showed statistically significant differences in the I-C′ measurement compared to G3 (p = 0.0003). In the analysis of the Atack index, there was a statistically significant difference between G1 and the other sample sets (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Children who underwent surgery later showed better results in terms of the growth and development of the dental arches.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation in the bone regeneration of critical-sized defects (CSD) filled with inorganic bovine bone associated or not with collagen membranes. The study has been conducted on 40 critical defects in the calvaria of male rats, divided into four experimental groups (n = 10): (1) DBBM (deproteinized bovine bone mineral); (2) GBR (DBBM+collagen membrane); (3) DBBM+P (DBBM+photobiomodulation); and (4) GBR+P (GBR+photobiomodulation). At 30 days postoperative, the animals were euthanized, and after the tissue had been processed, histological, histometric, and statistical analyses were performed. The analyses have taken into account newly formed bone area (NBA), linear bone extension (LBE), and residual particle area (RPA) as variables. The Kruskal-Wallis test has been performed, followed by the Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner test for comparison between groups (p < 0.05). When the DBBM+P group was compared to the DBBM group, it was possible to observe significant statistical differences in all the variables analyzed (p < 0.05). The application of photobiomodulation in guided bone regeneration (GBR+P) has shown a decrease in the median value for the RPA variable (26.8) when compared to the GBR group (32.4), with a significant statistical difference; however, for NBA and LBE, the therapy has not provided significant results.

Background: It is necessary to analyze and monitor the facial growth of orofacial cleft patients. The documentation should therefore begin before and after primary surgeries. Technological evolution has transformed plaster models into 3D images through scanners that allow rational storage, manipulation, and rotation without the possibility of breakage or damage. Based on this fact, this narrative review aims to provide a feature on the three-dimensional tools available for the assessment of dental arches in children with orofacial cleft and mixed dentition. Material and Methods: Three databases were chosen (PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus) and keywords were used to select papers. Results: During the database screening, 292 potentially relevant papers were found. After removing duplicates, titles, and abstracts, 32 papers presented qualifications for analysis. Through evaluating each document by reading it one by one, 24 papers fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Conclusions: It was concluded that digital tools—i.e., benchtop scanners which evaluate the dental arches of children with cleft lip, palate, and mixed dentition—are reproducible and reliable, without the use of ionizing radiation, allow storage, manipulation with sustainability, and help preserve the environment.

Abstract The repair of bone defects raises the interest of investigators in several health specialties. Grafting techniques with bone substitutes and laser therapies have been investigated to replace autogenous bone and accelerate the bone healing process. Objective To evaluate the effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) associated with guided bone regeneration (GBR) in critical size defects. Material and Methods The study was conducted on 80 male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar) submitted to surgical creation of a critical size defect on the calvaria, divided into eight study groups: group C (control - only blood clot); group M (collagen membrane); group PBMT (photobiomodulation therapy); group AB (autogenous bone); group AB+PBMT; group AB+M; group PBMT+M; group AB+PBMT+M. The animals were killed 30 days postoperatively. After tissue processing, bone regeneration was evaluated by histomorphometric analysis and statistical analyses were performed (Tukey test, p

Abstract Objective This study analyzed the maintenance of lateral incisors in the dental rehabilitation of individuals with cleft lip and palate. Material and Methods The study was conducted on a tertiary craniofacial center and comprised retrospective analysis of panoramic and periapical radiographs of Caucasoid individuals with non-syndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, analyzing all radiographs available on the records of each individual, from the first to the last up to 12 years of age. Overall, 2,826 records were reviewed to achieve a sample of 1,000 individuals. Among these, 487 individuals presented the permanent lateral incisors on both cleft and non-cleft sides, which were included in this study. Results The results were evaluated in percentages and by descriptive statistics. The association between maintenance of the lateral incisor and timing of alveolar bone graft were analyzed by the t test. Among the 487 individuals, 265 had not completed treatment, 62 presented insufficient information, and 44 concluded the treatment elsewhere. Among the remaining 116 individuals, the lateral incisor was extracted from 88 (75.86%) of them on the cleft side (CS) and from 23 (19.83%) people on the non-cleft side (NCS). The age at accomplishment of alveolar bone graft was significantly associated with maintenance of the lateral incisor on the cleft side (p

This paper presents the treatment protocol of maxillofacial surgery in the rehabilitation process of cleft lip and palate patients adopted at HRAC-USP. Maxillofacial surgeons are responsible for the accomplishment of two main procedures, alveolar bone graft surgery and orthognathic surgery. The primary objective of alveolar bone graft is to provide bone tissue for the cleft site and then allow orthodontic movements for the establishment of an an adequate occlusion. When performed before the eruption of the maxillary permanent canine, it presents high rates of success. Orthognathic surgery aims at correcting maxillomandibular discrepancies, especially anteroposterior maxillary deficiencies, commonly observed in cleft lip and palate patients, for the achievement of a functional occlusion combined with a balanced face.

The aim of this article is to present the pediatric dentistry and orthodontic treatment protocol of rehabilitation of cleft lip and palate patients performed at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies - University of São Paulo (HRAC-USP). Pediatric dentistry provides oral health information and should be able to follow the child with cleft lip and palate since the first months of life until establishment of the mixed dentition, craniofacial growth and dentition development. Orthodontic intervention starts in the mixed dentition, at 8-9 years of age, for preparing the maxillary arch for secondary bone graft procedure (SBGP). At this stage, rapid maxillary expansion is performed and a fixed palatal retainer is delivered before SBGP. When the permanent dentition is completed, comprehensive orthodontic treatment is initiated aiming tooth alignment and space closure. Maxillary permanent canines are commonly moved mesially in order to substitute absent maxillary lateral incisors. Patients with complete cleft lip and palate and poor midface growth will require orthognatic surgery for reaching adequate anteroposterior interarch relationship and good facial esthetics.

Cleft lip and palate is the most common among craniofacial malformations and causes several esthetic and functional implications that require rehabilitation. This paper aims to generally describe the several aspects related to this complex pathology and the treatment protocol used by the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo (HRAC-USP) along 40 years of experience in the treatment of individuals with cleft lip and palate.

Hypodontia is the congenital absence of one or more teeth and may affect permanent teeth. Several options are indicated to treat hypodontia, including the maintenance of primary teeth or space redistribution for restorative treatment with partial adhesive bridges, tooth transplantation, and implants. However, a multidisciplinary approach is the most important requirement for the ideal treatment of hypodontia. This paper describes a multidisciplinary treatment plan for congenitally missing permanent mandibular second premolars involving orthodontics, implantology and prosthodontic specialties.

Craniosynostosis syndromes are characterized by premature closure of one or more cranial sutures, associated with other malformations, the most frequent of which are the Crouzon and Apert syndromes. Few studies in the literature have addressed the oral health of these individuals. The purpose of this study was to compare the periodontal status of individuals with Apert, Crouzon, Pfeiffer and Saethre-Chotzen syndromes before toothbrushing and compare the efficiency of plaque removal before and after mechanical toothbrushing. The probing depth, plaque index (according to Löe and O'Leary), clinical attachment level, gingival index (according to Silness and Löe) and amount of keratinized mucosa were evaluated before toothbrushing, and the O'Leary plaque index was assessed before and immediately after toothbrushing, on the same day, in 27 individuals aged 11 to 36 years. There was statistically significant difference in the mean probing depth and clinical attachment level among regions (p=0.00; p=0.01, respectively). The gingival index did not reveal statistically significant differences. With regard to the plaque index, the left region exhibited higher plaque index values than the right and anterior regions. No significant results were found in the analysis of keratinized mucosa. Comparison of the O'Leary plaque index before and after toothbrushing revealed statistically significant difference for all syndromes except for the Pfeiffer syndrome (p

Resumen Objetivo: Comparar la posición de terceros molares no erupcionados entre individuos con y sin fisura labiopalatina a través de radiografías panorámicas. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio do Se realizó un estudio documental, retrospectivo, con datos primarios, a partir del análisis de 1.000 radiografías panorámicas: 500 pertenecientes a la Facultad de Odontología de Bauru, Universidad de San Pablo (FOB/USP) y otras 500 provenientes del Hospital de Rehabilitación de Anomalías Craneofaciales, Universidad de San Pablo (HRAC/USP), seleccionadas aleatoriamente, entre agosto y diciembre de 2009. De ese universo se eligió una muestra de 152 imágenes, según los criterios de inclusión determinados en esta investigación: radiografías panorámicas pertenecientes a individuos de entre 15 y 20 años de edad, de ambos géneros, que presentaran los cuatro terceros molares (dos superiores y dos inferiores) no erupcionados, cuyas imágenes fueran de buena calidad, con un grado medio de densidad y contraste. El Grupo 1 o Grupo Control fue constituido a partir de 76 radiografías de pacientes no portadores de fisura labiopalatina, tratados en la FOB/USP; y el Grupo 2 o Grupo Experimental constó de otras 76 radiografías pertenecientes a individuos con fisura transforamen completa, atendidos en el HRAC/USP. Todas las radiografías fueron obtenidas con el mismo dispositivo panorámico y, más tarde, digitalizadas por medio del software ImageJ® (McGill University, Montreal, Canadá). Los terceros molares no erupcionados fueron clasificados según su angulación respecto del segundo molar adyacente. Resultados: Se constató una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos evaluados respecto de los dientes inferiores (p≤0,05). En cuanto a la angulación, en el Grupo Control hubo mayor frecuencia de dientes en la posición distoangular, mientras que en el Grupo Experimental predominó la posición mesioangular. Conclusión: La posición de los terceros molares superiores en los individuos con fisura no difiere de la de los individuos sin fisura. En el caso de los inferiores, la diferencia es estadísticamente significativa. Palabras clave: Diente retenido, tercer molar, cirugía bucal, fisura labial, fisura palatina. Abstract Aim: To compare the position of non-erupted third molars in patients with and without cleft lip and palate in panoramic radiographs. Materials and methods: A retrospective study using primary data through the analysis of 1.000 panoramic radiographs was carried out. Five hundred were available at the Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo (FOB/USP), and the other ones at the Hospital for the Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo (HRAC/USP), and had been obtained from August to December 2009. From that universe, a sample of 152 panoramic radiographs was selected according to the following inclusion criteria: radiographs from 15 to 20 year old individuals, both genders, and with good image quality (average grade density and contrast) and featuring four non-erupted third molars (two upper and two lower). Group 1 or Control Group consisted of 76 radiographs of patients without cleft lip and palate, treated in FOB/ USP; and Group 2 or Test Group, radiographs of 76 patients with complete cleft lip and palate treated at HRAC/USP. All radiographs were obtained with the same panoramic equipment. Then, the radiographs were digitalized by the ImageJ® program (McGill University, Montreal, Canada), and non-erupted third molars were classified according to their angulations in relation to the adjacent second molars. Results: Statistically significant difference between groups was found only for lower teeth (p≤0.05). As for the angulations, the Control Group showed higher frequency of distal teeth positions, while Test Group mesial positions. Conclusion: The position of upper third molars was not different in individuals with or without cleft lip or palate. In the case of the lower, the difference is statistically significant. Key words: Non-erupted teeth, third molar, oral surgery, cleft lip, cleft palate.