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Patient satisfaction and quality of life after orthodontic treatment for cleft lip and palate deformity

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Abstract

Objectives

Patients with cleft lip–cleft palate (CLP) often require orthodontic treatment, with or without orthognathic surgery. Patient satisfaction is the most important outcome parameter in orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to (1) determine patient satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) after orthodontic treatment and (2) identify associated factors.

Material and methods

This prospective cross-sectional study recruited patients with CLP who had completed orthodontic treatment at a craniofacial center in Taiwan. Participants (N=213) had received treatment for unilateral CLP (n=99), bilateral CLP (n=50), cleft lip and alveolus (n=39), and isolated cleft palate (n=25). Self-report questionnaires evaluated satisfaction with appearance and QoL; multiple regression analysis examined associated factors. Participants’ expectations of treatment results were also reported.

Results

Participants reported moderate satisfaction with facial appearance and QoL. Satisfaction with treatment was lower or much lower than expected for 13% of participants. Treatment for bilateral CLP was associated with the lowest satisfaction with overall appearance (r = −8.123, P < 0.05); participants who had received orthognathic surgery had the highest satisfaction (r = 5.534, P < 0.05). Treatment for unilateral and bilateral CLP was associated with low QoL for smile (both P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Orthodontic treatment had a positive effect on facial appearance and quality of life in patients with CLP. Type of cleft and orthognathic surgery significantly influenced satisfaction with facial appearance.

Clinical relevance

Efforts must be taken to modify treatment strategies for patients with bilateral CLP in order to improve satisfaction with appearance following treatment.

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Funding

The work was supported by the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan (CMRPG5F0053, CMRPG5F0063, CMRPG5G0023).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Craniofacial Orthodontics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 123, Dinghu Road, Guishan District, Taoyuan City, 333, Taiwan

    Yi-Hsuan Chen & Yu-Fang Liao

  2. Craniofacial Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan

    Yi-Hsuan Chen, Yu-Fang Liao, Chun-Shin Chang & Ting-Chen Lu

  3. Craniofacial Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Yi-Hsuan Chen, Yu-Fang Liao, Chun-Shin Chang & Ting-Chen Lu

  4. Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Yu-Fang Liao

  5. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan

    Chun-Shin Chang & Ting-Chen Lu

  6. Craniofacial Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    Kuo-Ting Chen

Authors
  1. Yi-Hsuan Chen
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  2. Yu-Fang Liao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yu-Fang Liao.

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All procedures performed in the study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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Chen, YH., Liao, YF., Chang, CS. et al. Patient satisfaction and quality of life after orthodontic treatment for cleft lip and palate deformity. Clin Oral Invest 25, 5521–5529 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-03861-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-03861-4

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