Outcome of alveolar bone grafting in cleft lip and palate patients – the recipient site assessment

Purpose of the Study: A retrospective cross sectional study to determine the recipient site outcome of alveolar bone grafting in cleft lip and palate patients. Material and Method: All patients operated between 1st January 1999 until 31st December 2009 who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study. The recipient sites were the alveolus clefts. Medical records, radiographs, clinical findings and interviews were used as the study instruments. Result: The overall success rate of alveolar bone grafting is 54.9% with a higher success rate noted in patients between the age of 6 to 8 years old, in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients, before the eruption of maxillary canine, before the completion of maxillary canine root formation. A significant statistical relationship was noted between the type of cleft and the outcome of surgery. Conclusion: Alveolar bone grafting procedure is an integral component of the management of patients with cleft lip, alveolar and palate in establishing the integrity of the alveolar cleft defect, enabled the alignment of dentition and allowed overall oral rehabilitation. A favourable treatment outcome is achievable with minimal associated postoperative complications that were usually well tolerated and manageable.