Alveolar Cleft Reconstruction Using Different Grafting Techniques

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and palate CLP is a frequent congenital malformation that manifests in several varieties including unilateral or bilateral anomalies due to either genetic or acquired causes. Alveolar cleft graft ACG remains controversial as regard timing, grafting materials and surgical techniques. The primary goal of alveolar cleft grafting in ACG patients is to provide an intact bony ridge at the cleft site to allow maxillary continuity for teeth eruption, proper orthodontic treatment for dental arch alignment, oronasal fistula closure and providing alar support for nasal symmetry. AIM: This study aims to compare different grafting techniques to treat the alveolar cleft defect. METHODS: This study included 24 cases divided into three groups of patients: Group A was treated with autogenous iliac crest bone; Group B was treated with nano calcium hydroxyapatite with collagen membrane and Group C was treated with tissue engineering method using bone marrow stem cells extract and PRF membrane. RESULTS: According to clinical and radiographic examination measuring bone density in the CT preoperatively compared to six months postoperatively. Group C with bone marrow stem cells extract showed superior results among all followed by group B, while group A with autogenous iliac crest showed resorption in some cases and gave the least values, in addition to its drawbacks as regard donor site affection with pain & scar formation. CONCLUSION: Bone substitutes as Nano calcium hydroxyapatite and bone marrow stem cells extract showed to be reliable methods for bone grafting than autogenous iliac crest