Bone Grafting of Alveolar Clefts

The goals of alveolar cleft repair include (1) stabilization of the maxilla, (2) permitting tooth eruption, (3) eliminating the oronasal fistula, (4) improving aesthetics, and (5) improving speech. Alveolar cleft repair should be considered one of the steps of a larger comprehensive orthodontic management plan. In conjunction with closure of the oronasal fistula, a variety of grafting materials can be used in the alveolar cleft. Autogenous grafts have been found to have greater efficacy compared with allogenic or xenogeneic bone, substitute bone, and alloplasts but with more donor site morbidity.