Secondary closure of alveolar clefts without using a bone graft

2. Evaluation of bone formation by CT radiography

Abstract

We attempted secondary closure of alveolar clefts without using a bone graft in 18 patients (19 alveolar clefts) with narrow alveolar clefts. The surgical procedure to make a recipient bed was the same as that used for bone grafting in our department. Bone formation at the alveolar clefts were evaluated by CT radiographs taken at least 1 year after operation.
Good bone bridge formation was found in about 50% of the cases. Good bone bridge formation was apparently associated with the use of Aviten^® at the alveolar cleft region or injury of the bone surface of the alveolar cleft region with a chisel to promote osteoplastic activity.
In the future, we expect that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) or new carriers such as some kind of collagen will be developed.
Moreover, CT radiographs were useful in evaluating bone formation at alveolar clefts.