Abstract
A qualitative evaluation of canine tooth migration and bone bridge formation following bone grafting was done.
A total of 105 cases of alveola r bone grafting was done in our clinic between March 1983 and December 1996. Subjects of the study were 26 patients with a total of 31 alveolar clefts, all of which underwent bone grafting. The age range at the time of bone grafting was 8 to 14 years.
The unerupted group had 16 patients with a total of 19 clefts, and the erupted group had 10patients with a total of 12 clefts.
In the unerupted group, the canine location and bone height were measured on radiographs taken pre-and postoperatively. Two clefts underwent surgical exposure and traction for canine migration. The canine of 17 clefts erupted with bone grafting only.
The two groups were compared for bone bridge formation; the unerupted group had the wider, hence better, bone bridge formation than the erupted group.
