Objective: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of taurodontism in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and clarify the relationship between CLP and the frequency and severity of taurodontism.
Methods: CBCT scans of 30 patients with bilateral CLP (BCLP), 70 with unilateral CLP (UCLP) and 70 healthy individuals were taken for investigation. In each group, the first and second molars were assessed for the presence of taurodontism. In taurodontic teeth, the severity of taurodontism was measured and classified based on the taurodontic index (TI). The frequency and severity of taurodontism were compared between the three groups.
Results: Taurodontism was significantly higher in patients with CLP (P < 0.001), and its prevalence was significantly higher in patients with BCLP than those with UCLP (P = 0.003) and the control group (P < 0.001). There was no difference among the three groups regarding the severity of taurodontism. Additionally, the frequency of taurodontism in the second molars was significantly higher than that in the first molars in the control group (P = 0.019).
Conclusion: Based on this investigation, clinicians should be aware of the possible complications that may occur when performing dental procedures on patients with BCLP and UCLP due to the higher incidence of taurodontism in these patients.