Long-Term Outcome of Secondary Gingivoperiosteoplasty Versus Alveolar Bone Grafting in Complete Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the long-term outcome of secondary gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP) and alveolar bone grafting (ABG) in unilateral and bilateral alveolar cleft groups during mixed dentition.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with complete unilateral and bilateral alveolar clefts who underwent either secondary GPP or secondary ABG from 2014 to 2020, with a minimum follow-up of five years. The outcomes were measured using Bergland and Witherow's scales in both occlusal and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.

RESULTS

A total of one hundred patients participated in the study, which included 126 sites. The GPP comprised 57 patients (38 with unilateral and 19 with bilateral), while the ABG included 43 patients (36 with unilateral and 7 with bilateral). When comparing outcomes between treatment groups, no statistically significant difference was observed in the success rates in the unilateral groups (p = 0.755). However, a statistically significant difference was identified between the GPP and ABG groups in bilateral cases (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Secondary gingivoperiosteoplasty provides reliable long-term outcomes in selected patients with alveolar clefts, especially in unilateral cases. Both GPP and secondary alveolar bone grafting are effective when appropriately indicated, though direct comparisons between the techniques should be interpreted cautiously, given differences in case selection.