Longitudinal 3D Assessment of Dental Arches in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate Before and After Oral Rehabilitation

Objective To evaluate longitudinally, using 3D laser scanning, the area and volume of dental arches in young adults with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) after oral rehabilitation, compared with non-cleft individuals. Design Retrospective longitudinal observational study reported according to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. Setting Tertiary referral center for cleft lip and palate. Participants Fifty-five patients (18–30 years): FPDG ( n = 15) and ISPG ( n = 20) with UCLP, and CG ( n = 20) without clefts who completed orthodontic treatment without missing teeth requiring prosthesis. Convenience sample; no a priori sample size calculation. Interventions Similar orthodontic treatment and rapid maxillary expansion for all. FPDG and ISPG then received fixed partial dentures or implant-supported prostheses, respectively. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcomes: changes (Δ = T2 − T1) in the palatal area (mm 2 ) and volume (mm 3 ). 110 digital models (3Shape R700™) analyzed using Mimics 17.0 and Mirror 2.8.3. T1: after orthodontics (CG) or after orthodontics needing prosthesis (FPDG/ISPG); T2: 1 year after orthodontics (CG) or 1 year after prosthesis delivery (FPDG/ISPG). Results UCLP groups had significantly smaller areas and volumes than CG at T1 and T2 ( p < 0.05). Both rehabilitated groups remained relatively stable; the FPDG showed a non-significant tendency toward less reduction than the ISPG after 1 year. CG arches remained stable. Software programs yielded equivalent results. Conclusions Both FPD and ISP maintained arch stability one year after rehabilitation, with a trend toward greater stabilization in the FPD group. Both groups had smaller dimensions than non-cleft controls, whose arches remained stable. Longer follow-up is needed.