Comparison of bovine-derived hydroxyapatite and autogenous bone for secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with alveolar clefts.

Purpose The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the long-term outcomes of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) using bovine-derived hydroxyapatite versus autogenous bone. Patients and Methods The subjects in this study were 23 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (13 male, 10 female) who underwent SABG from 2004 through 2009. The patients were recalled and examined to evaluate the success of the long-term outcomes of SABG. In group 1, there were 12 patients (7 male, 5 female) who underwent grafting with anterior iliac crest bone; in group 2, 11 patients (6 male, 5 female) underwent grafting with bovine-derived hydroxyapatite. Results The mean ages at grafting were 13 ± 3.76 years in group 1 and 10.82 ± 2.6 years in group 2 ( P = .134). The mean lengths of follow-up were 47.33 ± 13.79 months in group 1 and 67.82 ± 10.36 months in group 2 ( P = .002). Pocket depth, periodontal index, and gingival index scores were similar and indicated acceptable periodontal status in the 2 groups. The results for patient satisfaction were not statistically different ( P > .05). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups when results of the Chelsea scale were analyzed ( P > .05). The radiologic results showed an 83.4% success rate in group 1 and a 100% success rate in group 2 ( P = .478). When the densitometric values for cleft sites were analyzed, the difference between the 2 groups was not statistically significant ( P = .190). Conclusions Bovine-derived hydroxyapatite is as successful as the iliac graft for the SABG procedure.