Evaluation of Secondary Alveolar Cleft Reconstruction

The rehabilitation of the disorganized maxilla is the primary objective of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) for alveolar clefts, as the bony reconstruction of the discontinued maxillary arch would permit proper anterior teeth eruption, improve their orthodontic movements, restore the nasal and alar base symmetry, counteract the growth disturbance effects and seal the oronasal communication. By the time the transverse growth of the maxillary arch is nearly complete during the mixed dentition stage, (SABG) intends to bridge the maxillary continuity by a quantitative bone graft entity that minimizes the maxillary collapse and growth impairment after an appropriate separation and elevation of the nasal and mucosal flaps.