Purpose: This study evaluates a treatment regimen for reconstruction of residual maxillary alveolar cleft defects consisting of mandibular bone grafting and immediate implant installation.
Patients and methods: Sixteen cleft patients (five female and 11 male) had residual cleft defects of the alveolar ridge reconstructed with bone grafts from the mandibular symphyseal region. The bone graft was pretapped at the donor site before fixation in the residual ridge with Brånemark implants. Twenty implants were installed according to this concept. The period of observation ranged from 36 to 69 months, with a mean of 48 months after implant installation.
Results: Five patients developed wound dehiscenses that resulted in total or partial bone graft sequestration. Two implants were lost, one due to sequestration and the other due to mobility at the abutment procedure; 18 implants were still well functioning at the end of the observation period. However, all patients showed significant periimplant bone resorption after this one-stage treatment.
Conclusion: Because of the observed complication rate, the one-stage procedure may not be optimal for reconstructing residual cleft defects.