Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

4 questions · 4 findings · 2 reviews · Oral and maxillofacial surgery

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No studies found 0 · 0%GRADE not reported 3 · 75%Very low 0 · 0%Low 1 · 25%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%

Unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) vs Bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP)

Plaque · Patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP)

Plaque index does not differ significantly between unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate (MD -0.13, 95% CI -0.38 to 0.12; ungraded).

1 finding from 1 review

Oral health in patients with cleft lip and palate: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of periodontal and… 2025 All outcomes
Clinical dental examination (Thailand and USA)
MD -0.13 [-0.38, 0.12]
2 studies · 117 participants
GRADE not reported

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) vs Healthy controls without cleft

Plaque · Individuals assessed for periodontal health (mainly children and adolescents, age >2 years)

Persons with orofacial cleft have a higher plaque index than healthy controls (MD 0.29, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.34; low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Oral health in patients with cleft lip and palate: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of periodontal and… 2025 All outcomes
Clinical dental examination; various countries (e.g., Brazil, India, China, Thailand, USA)
MD 0.29 [0.24, 0.34]
6 studies · 1618 participants
Low

Non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) status and its oral microbiota (exposure/grouping) vs Children and adolescents aged 0-18 years without CLP (controls)

Lactobacillus spp. salivary/plaque counts (cariogenic microbiota) · Children and adolescents aged 0-18 years with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP)

A meta-analysis found no significant difference in mean Lactobacillus spp. levels between children with and without CLP, with high heterogeneity; the evidence is ungraded.

1 finding from 1 review

Characterization of the oral microbiota and the relationship of the oral microbiota with the dental and periodontal… 2024 All outcomes
Multiple countries; pediatric cleft/craniofacial care; saliva, dental plaque, subgingival plaque and nasal/oropharyngeal samples
For the outcome of the presence of Lactobacillus spp., there were no significant differences between patients with CLP and healthy patients, and the diversity of the studies led to high heterogeneity; however, the p…
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported

Non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) status and its oral microbiota (exposure/grouping) vs Children and adolescents aged 0-18 years without CLP (controls)

Streptococcus mutans count · Children and adolescents aged 0-18 years with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP)

A meta-analysis of 2 studies found no difference in mean Streptococcus mutans levels between children with and without CLP, with very high heterogeneity; the evidence is ungraded.

1 finding from 1 review

Characterization of the oral microbiota and the relationship of the oral microbiota with the dental and periodontal… 2024 All outcomes
Multiple countries; pediatric cleft/craniofacial care; saliva, dental plaque, subgingival plaque and nasal/oropharyngeal samples
Two studies were analyzed that reported the outcome in means of the presence of Streptococcus mutans, and that there was no difference between the means for healthy patients and those with CLP. The results of these…
2 studies
GRADE not reported