Long-term radiographic assessment of secondary alveolar bone grafting outcomes in patients with alveolar clefts.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) in patients with complete, unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) operated on before eruption of the permanent canine.

STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-five periapical radiographs from 41 patients with left UCLP and 24 with right UCLP (9 to 12 years old at SABG), were analyzed retrospectively for the amount of bone in the cleft site according to the Bergland and Chelsea scales, and for the occurrence of canine eruption (CE) through the neoformed bone.

RESULTS: Of the cases, 71% were classified as Bergland type I and Chelsea type A; 15% as types II/C, and 14% could not be classified. CE was observed in 95% of the cases operated on 4 years before the study.

CONCLUSIONS: SABG performed before CE is a procedure with a high rate of success. The radiographic scales proved to be important instruments for assessing surgical outcomes.