Cone beam computed tomography evaluation of maxillary central incisor abnormalities in cleft lip and palate patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate tooth structural abnormalities, including the enamel thickness, enamel density, dentine thickness, and mesiodistal width in maxillary central incisors in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Methods: A retrospective record review was conducted at CMH-Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry. Eighty-four nonsyndromic CLP patients (41 unilateral CLP (UCLP) and 43 bilateral CLP (BCLP)) and 39 controls were included. Cone beam computed tomography images were used to measure mesial enamel thickness, distal enamel thickness, dentine thickness, and mesiodistal width perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth. Two-way analysis of variance with interaction effects was conducted to determine whether gender influenced the teeth measurements in addition to the cleft. Results: In central incisors, enamel thickness, enamel density, and mesiodistal width were significantly smaller in the CLP group compared with the non-cleft group ( Conclusions: Maxillary central incisors were smaller in CLP patients, with significantly reduced enamel thickness and density, but dentine was largely unaffected. This study provides evidence that cleft conditions affect enamel more significantly than dentine. Hence, it is suggested that clinicians should adopt a conservative approach and use appropriate resin bonding materials to minimise enamel damage during restoration and orthodontic treatment.