The Analysis of Scar Tissue Distribution in Cleft Palate Patients by Laser Doppler Flowmetry

The Influence of Scar Tissue on Maxillary and Dentoalveolar Growth

Abstract

To understand various problems which exist in maxillary and dentoalveolar growth of cleft palate patients, it is necessary to analyze factors that influence their growth in addition to the conventional cephalometrics or dental cast analysis. Especially, scar tissue which results from mucoperiosteal denudation of palatal bone is considered to be the major factor of maxillary underdevelopment and dental arch deformity. Therefore, the information about scar tissue distribution on the palate is essential to diagnosis and prognosis in orthodontic treatment. However, there was no reliable method to evaluate the scar tissue area. To solve this problem, the laser doppler flowmeter has been applied in our clinic to differentiate scar tissue from normal palatal tissue based on the difference in circulatory conditions. The effectiveness and reliability of the method were described in the previous article. In this study, scar tissue distribution was analyzed by laser doppler flowmetry and its relation to maxillary growth and dental arch form was examined.
The results were as follows:
1. Scar tissue distribution was divided into four types according to their extent.
2. There was a close relationship between scar tissue distribution and maxillary dental arch form. The constriction of the dental arch became more severe as the scar tissue area was extended.
3. There was no correlation between scar tissue distribution and maxillary growth both in horizontal and vertical directions.
From the a bove results, it was considered that scar tissue formed on the surface of palatal bone directly inhibits maxillary dentoalveolar growth. It was suggested that maxillary growth in the horizontal and vertical directions could be influenced by surgical invasion or scar tissue at the posterior part of the maxilla.