Evaluation of Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting for Unilateral Complete Cleft Alveolus: A Retrospective Cone Beam Computed Tomography-Based Study

Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2024 Sep-Oct;26(5):564-570. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2023.0257. Epub 2024 Apr 16.

Abstract

Background: In patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP), secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) with particulate cancellous bone marrow (PCBM) is recommended. Objective: To compare bone graft outcomes in patients with unilateral CLP, when SABG is completed before or after canine tooth eruption (ACE or BCE), as measured by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: Patients were allocated into two cohorts, ACE and BCE. The outcomes were evaluated using CBCT, followed by univariate and multifactorial analyses. Results: A total of 468 patients (age 11.61 ± 4.03 years; male/female 288/180) were analyzed, including 282 in the BCE group (9.41 ± 1.59 years, 175/107) and 186 in the ACE group (14.95 ± 4.31 years, 113/73). Although 5-level assessment revealed no significant difference in clinical success rate (>4 points) between the BCE and ACE groups (53.90% vs. 47.85%, p = 0.20), BCE group showed significantly higher rate of bone bridges formation (73.05% vs. 62.90%, p = 0.02), which can be attributed to variations in orthodontic participation and follow-up time. Independent predictors of graft failure were wide cleft, severe oronasal fistula, no palatal bone wall, and insufficient PCBM filling (p < 0.01). Conclusions: SABG should be performed before canine eruption with more aggressive PCBM filling and oral fistula management.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alveolar Bone Grafting* / methods
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / methods
  • Child
  • Cleft Lip* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cleft Lip* / surgery
  • Cleft Palate* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cleft Palate* / surgery
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* / methods
  • Cuspid / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tooth Eruption
  • Treatment Outcome