Enzymatic evaluation of gingival crevicular fluid in cleft palate patients during orthodontic treatment: A clinico-biochemical study

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic goal in patients with cleft lip and palate is esthetics and long-term health of the stomatognathic system. Patients with cleft lip and palate routinely require extensive and prolonged orthodontic treatment. The osseous structures are absent or poorly developed in the osseous clefts and may be traumatized in the course of orthodontic therapy; hence require constant monitoring during orthodontic treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the tissue response of cleft palate patients by quantitative analysis of enzyme activity during orthodontic treatment and assess any difference in the tissue response with that of noncleft patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients requiring orthodontic treatment agedbetween 15 to 25 years were included to participate in the studyof which ten were cleft palate patients (group I) and ten noncleft patients (group II). The GCF samples were collected at incisor and molar sites during orthodontic treatment on days as per the study design in both the groups. The GCF enzymatic levels were estimated and compared. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant increased enzyme activity at the incisor site compared to molar site corresponding to the phases of tooth movement. CONCLUSION: There was significant difference in enzyme activity between the incisor adjacent to the cleft site and molar site. There was no difference in the tissue response between cleft palate patients and noncleft patients during orthodontic treatment.