OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of dental anomalies in Chinese children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

METHODSDental histories and radiographs of 244 Chinese children with UCLP were collected. The diagnosis of dental anomalies was based on panoramic radiographs before alveolar bone grafting. All patients were over 8 years old.

RESULTSIn the UCLP group, 66.8% of the patients was presented with hypodontia. The maxillary lateral incisors were the most common teeth affected, followed by maxillary second premolars, mandibular incisors and mandibular second premolars. A total of 33.6% the patients was presented with dental malformation, most were microdontic laterel incisors. A total of 4.9% the patients was presented with hyperdontia. The supernumerary teeth were more frequently found in the cleft region. The prevalence of missing maxillary lateral incisor in the noncleft side was statistically different between genders, which was higher in male (P < 0.050). This group of Chinese children with UCLP demonstrated significantly higher prevalence of hypodontia, hyperdontia, and malformation on the cleft side than on the noncleft side (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHypodontia is the most common type of dental anomalies. The prevalence of dental anomalies is higher in the UCLP patients than in the normal population. Dental anomalies occur more frequently on the cleft side than on the noncleft side.