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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to present pattern of cleft alveolus, treatment with alveolar bone grafting and complications encountered during and following alveolar bone grafting.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar over a period of 5 years from June 2009 to April 2014. Ethical approval for the purpose of this study was taken from the hospital’s ethical review committee. An informed consent was taken from the patient/guardian after explaining purpose and methodology of the research. Thorough history was taken from patient or guardians followed by detailed clinical examination of the patients. Site, size, oronasal communication, presence or absence of teeth, additional or supernumerary teeth, morphology and alignment of erupted teeth were noted. Plain radiographs including Orthopantomogram and upper occlusal view were advised to all patients. Location of the cleft, size and presence or absences of teeth in cleft and unerupted teeth were assessed in the radiograph.
Results: A total of 49 patients having cleft alveolus were included in this study. Thirty three (67%) were male while 16(33%) were female. Mean age was found to be 12.51 years ± 3.92 SD. Unilateral cleft alveolus was present among 31(63%) patients, while in18 (37%) patients the defect was bilateral. Supernumerary teeth were found in 9(19%) patients. Oronasal communication was present among 27 (55%) patients. Iliac graft reconstruction of cleft alveolus was done in 32 patients (67%). Failure occurred in 3 patients.
Conclusions: Unilateral alveolar clefts are common and bone grafting in mixed dentition stage using anterior iliac crest is successful.