Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate With Bovine Bone Graft for Unilateral Alveolar Cleft Reconstruction

This randomized clinical trial evaluated whether adding autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) to a bovine-derived bone graft improves healing and bone regeneration in patients undergoing reconstruction of a unilateral alveolar cleft. Sixteen participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either bovine bone graft combined with BMAC or bovine bone graft alone. Participants were followed for 6 months. Clinical assessments included postoperative pain, soft-tissue healing, fistula recurrence, and tooth eruption. Radiographic assessments included alveolar bone level, CT-derived graft radiodensity, and three-dimensional volumetric measurements of graft integration, resorption, and defect fill.