Alveolar cleft graft

ABSTRACT

Bone grafting the alveolar cleft allows for stability and continuity of the dental arch, provides bone for eruption of permanent teeth or placement of dental implants, and gives support to the lateral ala of the nose. Closure of residual oronasal fistula can occur simultaneously. Repair of alveolar clefts can occur at a variety of stages defined as primary, early secondary, secondary, and late. Most centers perform this surgery as secondary bone grafting. Autogenous bone provides osteogenesis, osteoinduction and conduction and is recommended for grafting to the cleft alveolus and several donor sites are available. The surgeon should select the best flap design considering the amount of mucosa available, blood supply and tension-free closure, and the extent of the oronasal communication. The authors provide a comprehensive understanding of alveolar clefts and their repair by reviewing the historical perspective, objectives for treatment, timing, source of graft, presurgical orthodontics, surgical techniques, postoperative care, and complications.