Abstract
This study used dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to comparatively evaluate the three-dimensional microstructural features of a reconstructed bone bridge based on the bone harvesting site and the presence/absence of artificial bone material, as well as the features of regenerated bone tissue after bone harvesting from mandibular symphysis in secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) for patients with cleft lip (with or without cleft palate). Thirty-one patients were divided into three groups in which SABG was performed by autologous bone harvesting from the iliac crest (IC), mandibular symphysis (MS), or MS combined with β-TCP granules (MS+TCP). The microstructural trabecular bone parameters were analyzed using datasets of CBCT images taken prior to and at 12 months following SABG. The microstructural parameters showed differences between IC and MS groups (P<0.05), resulting in greater values of bone volume density (P< 0.05) and an inferior value of TBPf (P= 0.070) in the IC group compared with the MS group. Using MS+TCP or filling β -TCP granules into the donor site significantly improved the reconstructed or regenerated BV/TV and Tb.Th (P<0.05) compared with the group without β-TCP. Microstructural characteristics of the reconstructed bone bridge were dependent on the donor site of bone harvesting; using an absorbable bone conductive material improved bone quality and increased bone volume density. Thus, the application of β -TCP granules as a partial bone alternative together with autologous bone from mandibular symphysis can obtain comparable outcomes in the microstructure of bone bridges to autologous iliac crest SABG.
