Correction of Secondary Alveolar Clefts with Iliac Bone Grafts

Cleft lip and palate deformities are one of the most common birth defects. The alveolar cleft requires bony repair to allow proper eruption of dentition. The purpose of this study is to evaluate success in the repair of alveolar clefts with iliac bone grafts.

The aim of this study is to restore the function and form of both arches with a proper occlusal relationship and eruption of tooth in the cleft area.

Five patients were selected irrespective of sex and socioeconomic status and whose age was within the mixed dentition period. The iliac crest is grafted in the cleft area and subsequently evaluated for graft success using study models, periapical, and occlusal radiographs.

At the time of evaluation, teeth were erupted in the area and good alveolar bone levels were present. Premaxilla becomes immobile with a good arch form and arch continuity. There are no major complications regarding pain, infection, paresthesia, and hematoma formation at donor site without difficulty in walking. There is no complication regarding pain, infection, exposure of graft, rejection of graft, and wound dehiscence at the recipient site except in one case.

Long-term follow-up is required to achieve maximum advantage of secondary alveolar grafting; the age of the patient should be within the mixed dentition period, irrespective of sex and socioeconomic status. It may be unilateral or bilateral.