Abstract The prevalence of impaction of the permanent canine on the cleft side (PCCS) ranges from 12-35% after alveolar bone grafting (ABG). PCCSs usually develop above other permanent teeth in the alveolar process, gradually becoming vertical until they reach the occlusal plane. The type of cleft, hypodontia of lateral incisor on the cleft side, slower PCCS root development, and genetic factors are predictors of impaction and/or its ectopic eruption. Objective: To compare the behavior of PCCS in individuals with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) subjected to secondary alveolar grafting (SAG) with different materials. Methodology: This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed 120 individuals undergoing SAG with iliac crest bone, rhBMP-2, and mandibular symphysis. The individuals were selected at a single center and equally divided into three groups. Panoramic radiographs were analyzed by the Dolphin Imaging 11.95 software to measure PCCS angulation and PCCS height from the occlusal plane at two different timepoints. Results: No statistical significance was found between grafting materials (P=0.416). At T1, the PCCS height from the occlusal plane was greater for rhBMP-2 and mandibular symphysis compared to iliac crest bone. The lateral incisor on the cleft side was not related to success or lack of eruption of PCCS (P=0.870). Conclusion: Impaction rates of PCCS were similar for the materials studied. Absence of the lateral incisor on the cleft side did not prevent spontaneous eruption of PCCSs.

This paper presents the treatment protocol of maxillofacial surgery in the rehabilitation process of cleft lip and palate patients adopted at HRAC-USP. Maxillofacial surgeons are responsible for the accomplishment of two main procedures, alveolar bone graft surgery and orthognathic surgery. The primary objective of alveolar bone graft is to provide bone tissue for the cleft site and then allow orthodontic movements for the establishment of an an adequate occlusion. When performed before the eruption of the maxillary permanent canine, it presents high rates of success. Orthognathic surgery aims at correcting maxillomandibular discrepancies, especially anteroposterior maxillary deficiencies, commonly observed in cleft lip and palate patients, for the achievement of a functional occlusion combined with a balanced face.

A extração do canino permanente suscita indignação de muitos ortodontistas ortodoxos cuja opinião oscila da ambivalência à condenação radical, devido principalmente à crença do perverso déficit funcional resultante, mas também atrelada à preocupação do efeito estético no sorriso. Essa última, sim, preocupação maior do leigo, que vê a Ortodontia principalmente como um exercício estético. Sem trair as convicções certamente legítimas, os objetivos oclusais de um tratamento ortodôntico visam conciliar estética, função e saúde periodontal, com ou sem caninos. O presente artigo ilustra a possibilidade de trocar o canino pelo primeiro pré-molar num tratamento ortodôntico conduzido com extração de dentes. Essa situação, que enfrenta resistência por parte de ambos, ortodontistas e pacientes, elimina o dente canino sem, no entanto, eliminar a função da cúspide canina na desoclusão lateral, isolada ou em grupo, o que sela harmonia com os conceitos funcionais da escola gnatológica.

Extraction of the permanent canine surprises many traditional orthodontists who believe that negative functional and unaesthetic results may arise from the procedure. Although esthetics is the major concern of layperson people, the occlusal aims of the orthodontic treatment are esthetics, occlusal function and periodontal health, with or without canines. The current paper describes the possibility of extracting the canine instead of the premolar in an orthodontic treatment with teeth extraction. In such a situation, which is not easily accepted by orthodontists and patients, the canine is eliminated but not its cusp function in lateral mandibular movements, thus maintaining the gnathologic functional concepts.