Secondary alveolar bone grafting in clefts of the lip and palate.

A short review of the literature is presented outlining the role of alveolar bone grafting in cleft patients. An analysis of a series of 47 secondary alveolar bone grafts in 34 patients is presented. The age range was 7-24 years. At the time of evaluation, 30 canines were in final occlusion and good alveolar bone levels were present in 83% of patients. Of the 13 bilateral cases (26 clefts), 14 canines were in final occlusion and all cases had good alveolar bone levels. No major complications were encountered. The graft was completely resorbed in 3 cases (6.4%) only.