Editing Human tooth (section)

==== Cleft lip and palate and their association with dental anomalies ====
There are many types of dental anomalies seen in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients. Both sets of dentition may be affected; however, they are commonly seen in the affected side. Most frequently, missing teeth, supernumerary or discoloured teeth can be seen; however, enamel dysplasia, discolouration and delayed root development are also common. In children with cleft lip and palate, the lateral incisor in the alveolar cleft region has the highest prevalence of dental developmental disorders;<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Tortora C, Meazzini MC, Garattini G, Brusati R|date=March 2008|title=Prevalence of abnormalities in dental structure, position and eruption pattern in population of unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate patients|pmid=18333651|doi=10.1597/06-218.1|journal=The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal|volume=45|issue=2|pages=154–162|s2cid=23991279}}</ref> this condition may be a cause of tooth crowding.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-29|title=Dental Crowding: Causes and Treatment Options|url=https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/dental-crowding-causes-and-treatment-options/|access-date=2021-02-06|website=Orthodontics Australia|language=en-AU}}</ref> This is important to consider in order to correctly plan treatment keeping in mind considerations for function and aesthetics. By correctly coordinating management invasive treatment procedures can be prevented resulting in successful and conservative treatment.

There have been a plethora of research studies to calculate prevalence of certain dental anomalies in CLP populations however a variety of results have been obtained.

In a study evaluating dental anomalies in Brazilian cleft patients, male patients had a higher incidence of CLP, agenesis, and supernumerary teeth than did female patients. In cases of complete CLP, the left maxillary lateral incisor was the most commonly absent tooth. Supernumerary teeth were typically located distal to the cleft.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Characteristics and distribution of dental anomalies in a Brazilian cleft population|author1=Luciane Macedo de Menezes |author2=Susana Maria Deon Rizzatto |author3=Fabiane Azeredo |author4=Diogo Antunes Vargas|journal=Revista Odonto Ciência|volume=25|issue=2|pages=137–141 |year=2010|doi=10.1590/S1980-65232010000200006|doi-access=free}}</ref> In a study of Jordanian subjects, the prevalence of dental anomaly was higher in CLP patients than in normal subjects. Missing teeth were observed in 66.7% of patients, with maxillary lateral incisor as the most frequently affected tooth. Supernumerary teeth were observed in 16.7% of patients; other findings included microdontia (37%), taurodontism (70.5%), transposition or ectopic teeth (30.8%), dilacerations (19.2%), and hypoplasia (30.8%). The incidence of microdontia, dilaceration, and hypoplasia was significantly higher in bilateral CLP patients than in unilateral CLP patients, and none of the anomalies showed any significant sexual dimorphism.<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Al Jamal GA, Hazza'a AM, Rawashdeh MA|year=2010|title=Prevalence of dental anomalies in a population of cleft lip and palate patients|journal=The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal|volume=47|issue=4|pages=413–420|doi=10.1597/08-275.1|pmid=    20590463|s2cid=7220626}}</ref>

It is therefore evident that patients with cleft lip and palate may present with a variety of dental anomalies. It is essential to assess the patient both clinically and radiographically in order to correctly treat and prevent progression of any dental problems. It is also useful to note that patients with a cleft lip and palate automatically score a 5 on the IOTN ( index for orthodontic need) and therefore are eligible for orthodontic treatment, liaising with an orthodontist is vital in order coordinate and plan treatment successfully.