[Initial study and evaluation on alveolar bone graft by palate side approach]

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Craniofacial Anomalies
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Unilateral complete cleft lip and palate often presents with alveolar bone defects.
• Alveolar bone grafting (ABG) is crucial for dental rehabilitation and facial esthetics.
• Existing ABG techniques can have limitations, particularly regarding palatal bone support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a palate side approach for alveolar bone grafting.
• To improve the short-term outcomes of ABG in patients with non-syndromic unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.
• To assess bone fill and graft stability using advanced imaging.

Main Methods:

• Twenty patients with non-syndromic unilateral complete cleft lip and palate underwent ABG via a palate side approach.
• Patients included those with incomplete (n=8) and complete (n=12) cleft alveoli.
• Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used for pre- and post-operative assessment, with measurements analyzed using Image-Pro Plus 5.1.

Main Results:

• An overall implanted bone mass ratio of 88% was achieved.
• Labial bone mass ratio reached 93%, and palatal bone mass ratio was 84%.
• The palate side approach demonstrated successful bone integration and fill.

Conclusions:

• The palate side approach effectively addresses palatal bone insufficiency in ABG.
• Utilizing a triangle nasal flap facilitates nasal floor and palatal mucosa closure.
• This technique avoids extensive relaxation incisions and buccal mucosal advancement flaps, simplifying the procedure.