Correlations of Hypodontia In Children with Isolated Cleft Palate

Abstract

A total of 251 children with isolated cleft palate were examined. Orthopantomograms, taken at the age of 6—12 years, were used in the detection of hypodontia of the permanent teeth, excluding the third molars. The findings were: 1. Familial history of clefting has no pronounced effect on the prevalence of hypodontia; 2. The prevalence of hypodontia was significantly higher in children with conical elevation of the lower lip than in those without it (40% to 25%), and increased with increasing extension of the cleft; 3. Cleft palate was associated with conical elevation and/or hypodontia in 56% of the subjects. The same etiological factor or factors seems to be responsible for the for— mation of the cleft, for conical elevation, and for hypodontia.