2. Embryology
Treatment goals & objectives
Timing of alveolar cleft repair & grafting
Patient evaluation & assessment
Source of graft
Types of grafts
Pre-surgical orthodontic care
Preparation of cleft alveolus
Types of tissue flaps used with bone grafts
Post-op care
Complications
Post- surgical orthodontic care
Other substitutes for bone grafting
Case illustrations
CONTENTS :
3. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate – 1 : 800 live births.
Complete clefts - transverse the alveolar ridge
disparate palatal segments
The remaining alveolar defect following early lip and
palate repair requires grafting
Alveolar bone grafting
4. The cleft of the alveolus was not initially perceived as a
problem on the same order as cleft lip
Von Eiselberg’s - fifth digit to span the cleft in 1901.
Initially, it was mostly performed in conjunction with
orthopedic appliances during deciduous dentition with
the goal of preventing maxillary collapse
Pickrell et al 1968 - primary grafts did not grow with the
skull and that teeth did not reliably erupt into primarily
grafted clefts
secondary grafting > primary grafting
5. (1) the exact timing within the secondary period
(2) the appropriate use of preoperative
orthodontic/orthopedic appliances
(3) questions of technique and bone source
(4) evaluation of bone graft outcomes.
Studies ON ABG focused on :
10. • Closure of oro antral fistula
• Establishing continuity between cleft segments
• Establishing proper alveolar contour
• Supporting tooth eruption and orthodontic movement of
teeth
• Providing for the periodontal health of teeth adjacent to cleft
• Providing support to the base of the nose and lip
• Facilitate nasolabial muscle and soft issue reconstruction
• Establishing functional airway
• Allow for placement of dental implants
12. Primary ABG : 0-2.5 yrs usually at the time of lip repair
Early secondary ABG : 2-5 yrs before the eruption of
permanent incisors
Secondary ABG : 6-13yrs before the eruption of permanent
canines
Late secondary ABG : >13 yrs after the eruption of permanent
canines
13. Usually done at the time of lip repair
Disadvantages :
• poor maxillary growth
• negative effects on anterior and inferior growth of
maxilla
• inadequate contour of bone graft
• higher propensity for cross bites
Primary Alveolar Grafting
14. usually done in childhood before the eruption of permanent
incisors
early surgery is not evaluated as thoroughly as late surgery
Boyne indicated this when permanent central and lateral
incisors appear to be developing in such a direction that it
may erupt abnormally into the cleft resulting in inadequate
tooth position or severe malposition jeopardized bone
support because of anatomy of tooth eruption.
Early Secondary Bone Grafting
15. classic time for alveolar grafting
Advantages :
high percentage of good results
allows eruption of canine
healthy teeth on either side of cleft
minimal impact on facial growth
allows for orthodontic alignment
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting
16. Disadvantage:
central and lateral incisors must have erupted
carries increased risk of periodontal bone loss and root
resorption.
Posnick mentions that waiting allows maximum
transverse growth of maxilla to occur before bone
grafting.
95% of anteroposterior and transverse growth of
maxilla is completed by the age of 8yrs.
17. It is done after the eruption of canine
It has got lower incidence of successful grafts due to
poor oral hygiene and decreased blood supply or
altered oral flora in older children.
Late Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting
19. Patient evaluated for any
oronasal fistula
caries
malposed teeth
state of occlusion
oral hygiene
mobility and position of pre maxilla
adequacy of soft tissue for tension free closure
20. Orthopantomograph
Occlusal radiographs
Periapical radiographs
Cephalometrics in patients who have problems with
premaxillary position
Radiographic evaluation
22. Types of grafts :
Autogenous
grafts
Iliac crest
Tibia
Rib
Cranial bone
Mandibular symphysis
III molar region
23. Eiselsberg ( 1901) made the earliest attempts to
transplant autogenous cancellous bone into cleft
maxilla, using little finger as a pedicled graft.
Dracher used tibial bone and periosteum.
Since then, usual sites for obtaining cancellous bone
grafts have included iliac bone, rib , calvarium.
Sindet et al - chin bone as a graft.
24.
25. Studies on onlay grafts ( cortico-cancellous grafts ) :
Membranous bone superior to endochondral bone
Embryological origin
More cortical ; less cancellous less resorption over time
Studies on inlay grafts :
Focused on maintainence of volume
Endochondral ( ileum ) vs membranous ( symphysis )
Studies on rabbit calvarium –
“Endochondral cancellous bone volume increased most over
time “
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and Morbidity M.A.
Rawashdeh, H. Telfah / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 665–670
26.
27. Alveolar cleft :
Osseous deformity
Continuity defect of alveolar process & pyriform rim
Reconstructed with bone inlayed between osseous
segments instead of onlay on maxilla
Dynamics of inlay bone graft different from onlay grafts
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and Morbidity M.A. Rawashdeh, H.
Telfah / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 665–670
28. Various factors affect the decision making process in
choosing an appropriate donor site for alveolar cleft :
size of the cleft
volume of bone needed
whether teeth will erupt through graft material
health of donor site
healing potential of the patient
29. ILIAC BONE :
Gold standard
Easy access
high success rates
rapid bone formation and calcification ( large supply of
pleuripotent / osteogenic cells )
Earlier cortico-cancellous blocks were used but lately only
cancellous bone is harvested using cylindrical punch with minimal
incision.
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and Morbidity M.A. Rawashdeh, H. Telfah /
British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 665–670
30. Cancellous bone graft > cortical graft
high content of osteogenic cells
Compacting : > no. of osteogenic cells
Rapid revascularization of graft ( 3 weeks )
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and Morbidity M.A.
Rawashdeh, H. Telfah / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 665–670
31. VARYING CONCEPTS OF BONE GRAFTING OF ALVEOALAR PALATAL DEFECTS- NICHOLAS et al, presented at 1963
convention of The American Cleft Palate Association, Washington DC
32. The patient is in supine position
iliac crest is made prominent by keeping a bolster under the
ipsilateral buttock.
The ASIS, the iliac tubercle and the lateral and medial edges
of the iliac crest are marked
local anesthesia for hydro dissection and hemostasis.
The incision is placed marginally medial and away from the
ASIS to prevent damage to the lateral femoral cutaneous
nerve.
Preparation of Donor Site:
33. While choosing the anteromedial approach care should
be taken to preserve the attachment of tensor fascia
lata.
Disturbance of the tensor from the lateral crest will lead
to gait disturbances.
In the lateral approach due to the tensor separation
there is gait disturbance and hence not very popular.
Anterior Iliac Crest Open:
34. Donor site is exposed
an opening is made using osteotomy (trap door or
open book type of exposure )
The overlying cortical bone along with the cancellous
bone can be harvested or only the underlying
cancellous bone can be harvested using bone gouge.
Closure
The scar should be in a position where it doesn’t get
irritated away from the belt lines.
35. The cancellous bone here is approached through a small
opening of around 1 to 1.5 cm using a drill or stab
incision and the cancellous bone is scooped out of the
bed.
Advantages of the trephine technique are that the
postoperative pain, gait abnormalities and complications
are less common
Anterior Trephination:
36. The posterior iliac crest can be approached for larger
quantities of bone.
The use in intraoral oral procedures is limited due to the
fact that a prone position is required to harvest the
bone from the posterior ilium.
This shifting the patient between recipient site
preparation and donor site harvesting is cumbersome.
Posterior Iliac crest approach
37. Disadvantages
• questionable effects on
growth
• possible gait disturbance
• post operative
hematoma
• donor site morbidity
Advantages
• adequate quantity
• easily condensed and
placed
• proven successful results
• little donor site
morbidity
• two team approach
Iliac crest graft
38. Johanson and Ohlsson
Drachter 1941 – facial clefts
young infants of pre-weight bearing age.
medial, slightly curved incision with excellent exposure of the
tibial shafts.
large supply of cancellous bone is available.
Cosmetically the post operative incision appears to be quite
acceptable.
TIBIAL BONE :
39. VARYING CONCEPTS OF BONE GRAFTING OF ALVEOALAR PALATAL DEFECTS- NICHOLAS et al, presented at 1963
convention of The American Cleft Palate Association, Washington DC
40. Disadvantages
concern with ambulation
epiphyseal injury
Advantages
adequate volume
quality similar to iliac
crest
predictable results
two team approach
Tibial graft
41. Disadvantages
donor site morbidity
unpredictable results
Advantages
for infants
two team approach
Rib grafts
42. Three techniques may be used for implanting the harvested
rib graft into the oral cavity
An eccentrically placed H shaped rib strut is wedged into
the cleft with the more prominent portion facing the
labial side to elevate the depression caused by cleft.
A solid piece of rib can be used following linear
separation at the ends exposing the cancellous part of the
bone.
The rib can be broken into many small chips and packed
into the cleft
43.
44. VARYING CONCEPTS OF BONE GRAFTING OF ALVEOALAR PALATAL DEFECTS- NICHOLAS et al, presented at
1963 convention of The American Cleft Palate Association, Washington DC
45. Both cortical & cancellous bone
Young patients
Wolfe & Berkowitz – diploe from cranium for SABG
Denny et al – curved osteotome + mallet ; shavings from
outer table & diploe
Jacksen et al – craniotome technique ; powdered bone
run into slurry mixed with blood
Cranial bone :
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and Morbidity M.A. Rawashdeh, H.
Telfah / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 665–670
46. Disadvantages
donor site esthetics /defect
stigma and fear for patient
less cellular component
difficult to harvest long
contoured strips like rib
graft
difficult to obtain sufficient
cancellous bone
Advantages
adequate quantity
less resorption
(membranous bone )
rapid vascularization
predictable quality
two team approach
camouflaged scar
Cranial bone
47. Hematomas
Seromas
Infected wounds
Dural tears
Subdural hemorrhage
CSF Leak
Complications of cranial bone graft harvesting :
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and Morbidity M.A.
Rawashdeh, H. Telfah / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 665–670
48. Bosker & Von Dijt – mandibular symphysis
Attractive donor site
Low morbidity
Limitations :
Limited volume
increased percentage of impacted canines (increased
cortical content of the harvested bone)
loss of unerupted permanent teeth early mixed dentition
necrosis of the pulp, or devitalisation of teeth;
injury to the mental nerve
Mandibular symphysis
49. Disadvantages
limited amount of bone
inability to remove bone
graft simultaneously with
preparation of recipient
site.
Advantages
embryonic origin and
earlier vascularization -
superior maintenance of
contour
less resorption
(membranous)
no external scar
Mandibular symphysis
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and Morbidity M.A.
Rawashdeh, H. Telfah / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 665–670
50. may be indicated in late secondary grafting
may be reasonable in young adults with small alveolar cleft.
III molar area
52. 2 orthodontic considerations integrate with timing of alveolar
cleft grafting
correction of cross bites
alignment of anterior teeth
cross bite due to narrowed transverse dimension of maxilla
maxillary expansion performed before grafting
when graft is performed before expansion 3 months should
elapse before expansion.
( full revascularization of cancellous bone takes place in 3weeks
but it takes 3months for bone to get complete trabecular pattern )
53. bilateral cleft with a pre-maxilla maxilla must be
expanded first before distalizaton of pre-maxilla to
ensure proper space.
It is better not to begin teeth alignment before grafting
as movement of teeth adjacent to cleft may result in
root exposure through this alveolar bone in this area.
54. Five Principles in approaching the cleft alveolus:
Wide exposure and appropriate Flap design.
Reconstruction of Nasal floor closing the oro nasal
fistula
Adequate graft material harvest.
Adequate packing of the defect with cancellous bone
Watertight closure of bone graft with gingival
mucoperiosteal flaps.
Preparation of the Cleft Alveolus:
55. Pre procedural consideration by the surgeon
amount of mucosa available for closure
best flap design to maintain adequate blood supply
tension free closure
extent of oro nasal communication
level of support needed for the alar base
donor site evaluation
56. An important factor design of the flap
preserve the maximum vestibular architecture
provide maximum attached mucosa in the area of alveolar
cleft
allow for normal periodontal sulcus and attachment of
permanent canine.
Procedure:
57. A lateral angled relieving incision is placed into the gingival
sulcus on the cleft side.
The muco-periosteum raised off the bone.
The nasal layer is created on either side by incising around
the margin of cleft alveolus and mucoperiosteal flap is
pushed upwards till the depth of the vestibule to allow
bone graft.
The cancellous bone is then packed into the cleft defect.
Once packed the flaps are gently repositioned over the
sulcus and the cleft alveolus and sutured to ensure a
watertight closure.
58. A crevicular incision is placed through the sulcus of the
anterior teeth
extending upto the first molar on the cleft side
and on the non-cleft side two teeth lateral to the cleft
alveolus.
A vertical relieving incision is placed on the cleft
alveolus side and there’s no release incision on the non-
cleft side.
59. Alveolar Bone Graft Technique
Incision and flap design
for unilateral cleft
defect repair
60. Alveolar Bone Graft Technique
Elevation of labial
and buccal
mucoperiosteal flaps
61. Alveolar Bone Graft Technique
Creation of labial and
palatal flaps after excision
of intradefect fistula
66. Labial pedicled “finger” flap elevated to
cover bone graft as alternative to
sliding buccal mucoperiosteal flap
67. unilateral cleft alveolus - major palatine artery, anterior and
posterior superior alveolar artery and branches of
sphenopalatine arteries.
In bilateral patients :
union of superior labial arteries is non-existent
blood supply to philtrum is grossly compromised
deficient anastomosis of posterior septal artery and greater
palatine artery.
The posterior septal artery and lateral (terminal branches of
anterior ethmoidal vessels) may contribute as they pass
through the columella.
Alveolar bone grafting in bilateral cleft:
68. A variation of vessel on either side of the incisive foramen is
believed to tackle the compromised state.
Thus it is prudent to modify the technique for bilateral
alveolus preparation.
A common technique that can be employed is trying to
stage the two sides
69. LOCAL FLAPS :
Local flaps obtained from the labial alveolar ridge and
rotated in a hinge like fashion based either medially or
laterally towards the palate exposing the bony segments of
the alveolar clefts.
The labial defect is then closed with any of the labial flaps
which can be rotated from the medial or lateral side.
TYPES OF TISSUE FLAPS USED WITH BONE
GRAFTS :
70.
71.
72. DISTANT FLAPS :
Distant flaps ( one stage vomer ) used for the closure of
wider alveolar clefts.
It was used by Stellmach and Schrudde
easily elevated and transferred in one stage directly
anteriorly to meet oncoming flap from the labial side.
The denuded vomer can be covered with palatal pack for
24-48 hrs if necessary to minimize loosening if necessary.
73. Bilateral vomer flaps used in bilateral clefts are formed
in two stages with intervals of two or three months as
simulatenous denudation and elevation of two vomer
flaps jeopardize the blood supply to vomer
75. Avoidance of trauma to the site
Avoidance of activities like swimming for 5-7 days
Patient placed on antibiotics and nasal decongestants
for atleast 1week
Meticulous oral hygiene with chlorhexidine mouth
washes
Recognition and treatment of upper respiratory tract
infection
Early ambulation
76. Infection
Wound dehiscence
Loss of graft
Incomplete closure of oronasal fistula
Complications
78. 3 months after the bone graft procedure
depending on the radiographic image of the area
orthodontic treatment is restarted to correct the position of the
permanent teeth.
Teeth adjacent to the alveolar cleft - rotations & severe tipping
due to lack of adequate alveolar bone support.
The pattern of eruption of the maxillary central incisor follows
the pattern of alveolar development in the cleft subjects.
Dental alignments are possible if the alveolar cleft is grafted.
79. Correction of malpositioned teeth – fixed / Semi-fixed or
fully bonded appliance permitting adjacent teeth to
migrate or be orthodontically moved into the grafted bone.
Often lateral incisor - congenitally missing, rudimentary or
malformed.
canine brought into the space of the lateral incisor moving
the tooth through the alveolar bone graft and reshaped
into a lateral incisor and residual spaces closed with fully
fixed bonded appliance.
Thus a complete dental arch can be obtained without
prosthodontics in the great majority of patients.
80. Ensuring Success in Alveolar Bone Grafting:
A Three-Dimensional Approach
- Cameron Craven, MD
The Journal Of Craniofacial Surgery / Volume 18, Number 4 July 2007
81. The alveolar and hard palate cleft should be viewed as a three
dimensional defect resembling a triangle or pyramid.
82. Schematic of incisions used to create gingivoperiosteal flaps
for coverage of the alveolar cleft.
83. Elevation of mucoperiosteal flaps from the medial and lateral margins of the
cleft. These are used to close the nasal floor and the roof of the oral cavity.
84. A) The alveolar cleft after packing with cortical and cancellous bone.
B) (B and C) Cortical bone reinforcing the roof of the cleft (nasal floor)
and the anterior wall of the alveolus.
85. Closure of the mucoperiosteal and gingivoperiosteal flaps with Vicryl
sutures.
86. Other Substitutes For Bone Grafting …
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and Morbidity
M.A. Rawashdeh, H. Telfah / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 665–670
87. reduce morbidity
not necessary to harvest autogenous bone,
reduce the cost of rehabilitating patients with clefts.
more than a century ago HCL demineralized bone chips
from ox tibia - implanted into canine cranial defects
Limitations :
unpredictability in resorption / amount of bone formed
Recently - recombinant human bone morphogenetic
protein (rhBMP)
Autogenous bony substitutes
88. rhBMP-2 effective in the regeneration of alveolar bone
and associated periodontal attachment apparatus
promotes the differentiation of pluripotential cells into bone-
forming cells that lay down new host bone in the site of the
defect (osteoinduction)
remodelling equilibrium prevents loss of bone through
resorption
However, it requires a suitable carrier for its clinical
applications in human conditions to prevent rapid diffusion
of the protein
Recombinant human bone morphogenetic
protein (rhBMP).
89. Boneless-bone grafting (gingivoperiosteoplasty) was popularized
by Skoog in the 1960s
most widely debated
“if healthy periosteum is closed over the alveolar defect,
favourable osteogenic conditions would allow bone to bridge it “
degree of ossification after gingivoperiosteoplasty varies
between 50% and 100%, and a third step of bone grafting may be
required.
Boneless-bone grafting
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting: the Dilemma of Donor Site Selection and
Morbidity M.A. Rawashdeh, H. Telfah / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
46 (2008) 665–670