Effect of Cuspid Positioning in the Cleft at the Time of Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting on Eventual Graft Success

Abstract This investigation was to determine the relationship between the success of secondary alveolar bone grafting and the position of the permanent cuspid relative to the cleft at the time of grafting. In this retrospective study utilizing periapical radiographs taken on cleft patients to evaluate bone grafting results, the subjects were patients treated at the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, a private institution specializing in the care of cleft patients. Sixty-seven patients (20 BCLP; 47 UCLP) were selected for this study based on availability of quality radiographs and a minimum of 6-month post-surgical follow-up. All patients underwent alveolar bone grafting (mean age, 10 years 7 months). Presurgical radiographs were taken within 3 months of the operation. Post-surgical radiographs were taken to evaluate the outcome of grafting (mean follow-up, 2 years 10 months). Radiographs were traced and digitized on a total of 86 cleft sites. Presurgically, a ratio was used to determine the amount of cuspid c...