Abstract
In this study, the oral environment of young patients with cleft lip and/or palate was compared with that of young children without craniofacial anomalies using a saliva test. Analysis was also carried out on the effect on the oral environment of occlusal growth and the presence of an oro-nasal fistula.
Materials: The subjects were 94 patients with cleft lip and/or palate aged 4 to 6 years visiting the Clinic for Maxillo-Oral Disorders, Tohoku University Hospital Dental Center, Japan, to manage occlusion (patient group), and 142 children without craniofacial anomalies matched for age attending a nursery in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan (non-patient group). All subjects underwent a saliva test (Dentocult®SM, Dentocult®LB and Dentobuff®strip; Orion Diagnostica, Espoo, Finland). Data from the saliva test was scored according to Streptococcus mutans (SM score), Lactobacilli (LB score), saliva pH and saliva volume. Comparisons were made between the patient and non-patient groups; and within the patient group, among three groups of Hellman's Dental Age with different cleft types, patients with and without oro-nasal fistula, and patients using and not-using orthodontic appliances. Comparisons were made based on average SM scores, LB scores and saliva pH and the average scores and average numerical data of saliva volume using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests for statistical analysis.
Results: The average SM score, LB score and saliva pH were significantly different between the patient and non-patient groups, but no significant difference was seen in the comparisons between patients within the patient group. There were no significant differences in the average score of saliva volume and average numerical saliva volume between any groups. Scores between patients with and without oro-nasal fistula were not significant, and neither the use of orthodontic appliances nor cleft type was significant.
