Mesial and distal alveolar bone morphology in maxillary canines moved into the grafted alveolar cleft: Computed tomography evaluation

Correlation between alveolar cleft morphology and the outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting for unilateral cleft lip and palate

Background

Secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) is an integral part of the treatment for cleft lip and alveolus and cleft lip and palate. However, the outcome of SABG was not satisfactory as expected, factors that affecting the outcome were still controversial. The aims of this study were to summarize a new method for the classification of alveolar cleft morphology in patients with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus or unilateral cleft lip and palate, to evaluate the correlation between the morphology and SABG outcomes, to identify factors that might predict the outcomes.

Methods

The characteristics of the cleft morphologies of 120 patients who underwent SABG were observed using the preoperative Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images. 52 patients who had CBCT scans performed at least 6 months after SABG were included for the evaluation of outcomes. Both categorical and continuous evaluation methods were measured. Correlations between cleft morphology and SABG outcomes were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS 27.0.0.

Results

A new method for the classification of cleft morphology was summarized:type I, prism type (labial defect size ≥ palatal defect size; nasal defect size ≥ occlusal defect size); type II, prism’ type (labial defect ≥ palatal defect; nasal defect < occlusal defect); type III, inverted prism type (palatal defect ≥ labial defect); type IV, funnel type (presented as a significantly narrow defect area in the middle towards the vertical dimension); and type V, undefinable (extremely irregular morphology can’t be defined as any of the above types). Categorical evaluation showed 8 failure, 11 poor, 12 moderate, and 21 good results, while the average bone filling rate was 59.24 ± 30.68%. There was a significant correlation between the cleft morphology and categorical/continuous evaluation outcome (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The new method for the classification of alveolar cleft morphology summarized in this study was comprehensive and convenient for clinical application. Both categorical and continuous methods should be used for radiographic assessments in patients undergoing SABG. The chances of a successful procedure might be better when the patient has type I or IV morphology, in which the shape is like a funnel in the relatively palatal or occlusal area towards the vertical dimension. A relatively great amount of bone resorption was observed in most patients.

Trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry; registration number: ChiCTR2100054438.

Alveolar bone heights of maxillary central incisors in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients using cone-beam computed tomography evaluation

PURPOSE

The aims of this retrospective cross-sectional study were to measure and compare labial and palatal alveolar bone heights of maxillary central incisors in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients, following STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 16 years. High-resolution cone-beam computed tomography was performed at least one year after secondary alveolar bone grafting. The experimental side was the cleft side and the contralateral side without congenital cleft was the control. Measurements were performed on incisors' midsagittal cross-sections. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons.

RESULTS

The labial and palatal distances between alveolar bone crests and cementoenamel junctions were significantly greater on the cleft side than on the noncleft side. Mean differences were 0.75 and 1.41 mm, respectively. The prevalence of dehiscences at the cleft side maxillary central incisors was 52% on the labial surface and 43% on the palatal surface. In the controls, it was 19% and 14%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The cleft-adjacent maxillary central incisors had more apically displaced alveolar bone crests on the labial and palatal sides of the roots than the controls. Higher prevalence of dehiscences was found on the cleft side. Bone margin differences predispose to gingival height differences of the central incisors. These differences could increase the demands of patients to obtain more esthetic treatment results with orthodontic extrusion and periodontal intervention on the cleft side.

Influence of bone-anchored maxillary protraction on secondary alveolar bone graft status in unilateral complete cleft lip and palate

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) on the status of the secondary alveolar bone graft in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

METHODS

The experimental group (EG) comprised 26 patients with UCLP, mean age of 11.9 years, submitted to secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein, and BAMP therapy, using miniplate-borne Class III intermaxillary elastics. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations were taken 6 months after SABG and before BAMP (T1) and after 18 months of BAMP therapy (T2). The control group (CG) was composed of 24 patients with UCLP submitted only to SABG with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein or autogenous bone from iliac crest without BAMP therapy, matched by initial age and sex with the EG. In the CG, CBCT examinations were performed 6 months (T1) and 12 months (T2) after SABG surgery. CBCT axial sections were analyzed using Garib scores in both time points. Intra- and intergroup comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests, respectively (P <0.05).

RESULTS

No intergroup differences were found at T1 and T2. The EG showed significant improvement of graft status from T1 to T2 at the cervical and middle levels of the alveolar cleft. No significant interphase differences were found for graft scores in the CG.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite loads of intermaxillary elastics applied to the maxilla, no harm to the grafted alveolar bone was observed after BAMP therapy in patients with UCLP.

Bone-anchored maxillary protraction long-term outcomes in UCLP

This case report presents a 12-year-old boy with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate and severe maxillary retrusion treated with bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) therapy followed by fixed appliances. The follow-up period extended until the end of growth. Initially, the patient demonstrated a Goslon 4 interarch relationship with an overjet of -3.5 mm and a Wits appraisal of -7.9 mm. Six months after the secondary alveolar bone graft, Bollard miniplates were fixed bilaterally at the infrazygomatic region in the maxilla and between the canines and lateral incisors in the mandible. Class III elastics were used bilaterally full time for 12 months. After treatment, the overjet increased 5.9 mm. Significant maxillary advancement (SNA +3.2°) and skeletal convexity improvement (NA-APo +12.4°) were observed. Retrusion of the anteroposterior position of the mandible was observed (SNB -2.1°). Comprehensive orthodontic treatment was performed after BAMP therapy with nighttime bone-anchored Class III elastics as active retention until the end of growth. Occlusion and facial esthetics were satisfactory at the end of orthodontic treatment and growth. Le Fort I surgery for maxillary advancement was not required. BAMP therapy demonstrated an adequate orthopedic outcome, preventing the need for orthognathic surgery in unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

Orthodontic treatment of unilateral cleft lip and palate associated with maxillary canine/premolar transposition: case report

Introduction:

The cleft lip and palate is the most frequent craniofacial anomaly and as a consequence of this malformation some inadequate occlusal relationship between the arches are observed. Furthermore, dental absences, individual positioning changes of teeth as rotations, and in more rare situations the transpositions may be found as well.

Description:

In this context, in this article is reported a case of a 9-year-old patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate, with anterior and posterior crossbite on the left side, absence of the maxillary left lateral incisor, and transposition of the maxillary left canine and first premolar. The patient was treated with slow maxillary expansion, secondary graft and fixed orthodontic appliance, transposition maintenance and closing of the lateral incisor space with the first premolar, by means of mesialization of the posterior teeth.

Results:

At the end of the treatment, good intercuspation and an important aesthetic gain for the patient were achieved. The analysis three years after treatment revealed a good stability of the results obtained.

A novel method for alveolar bone grafting assessment in cleft lip and palate patients: cone-beam computed tomography evaluation

Objectives

This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to present a new method for secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) assessment and to qualitatively evaluate the SABG results in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients.

Materials and methods

Research was conducted according to the STROBE guidelines. The study group consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 16 years. High-resolution cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed at least 1 year after grafting. The experimental side was the cleft side, and the contralateral side without a congenital cleft was the control. Measurements were performed at four levels of the maxillary central incisors’ roots according to the new scale with scores from 0 to 3. The sum of the scores provided a general assessment of bone architecture. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons, and a Kappa coefficient was used for reproducibility measurements.

Results

High individual variability was found, and the bone architecture was significantly worse on the cleft side than on the noncleft side. The results showed 28.57% failure, 33.33% poor, 19.05% moderate, and 19.05% good results from the surgical procedure. Kappa coefficients produced results from 0.92 to 1.00 for intra-rater and from 0.81 to 1.00 for inter-rater reproducibility.

Conclusions

CBCT provides detailed information about alveolar bone morphology. The new assessment method is useful at every treatment stage and provides excellent repeatability. SABG did not provide good bone morphology, in most cases.

Clinical relevance

This research presents a new universal alternative for the assessment of SABG by utilizing CBCT.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00784-020-03505-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Management of an adolescent with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate using fan-shaped expander and secondary alveolar bone graft: A case report

Treatment approach for bilateral cleft lip and palate (BLCLP) patients varies according to their presenting age. This case report describes the successful orthodontic treatment in an adolescent with BLCLP who was classified in Grade 3 according to Bauru BLCLP yardstick. The patient was diagnosed with skeletal Class III malocclusion, severe crowding, anterior and bilateral posterior crossbites and bilateral maxillary anterior alveolar defects. A combined orthodontic and surgical approach comprising of fan-shaped expander, secondary alveolar bone graft followed by comprehensive orthodontic treatment was utilized. The treatment resulted in a greatly improved facial aesthetics and stomatognathic function, which contributed to psychological well being of the patient.

Current methods for secondary alveolar bone grafting assessment in cleft lip and palate patients - A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The development of 3D X-ray diagnostics has led to new methods for secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) assessment. The aim of this study was to collect and present literature from the years 2007-2018, and review on the current treatment outcome assessment methods for SABG.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of literature from 2007 to 2018 was carried out, following PRISMA guidelines. 426 records were identified after duplicate references had been removed. 25 articles were included in the review. The Cochrane Collaboration tool or the methodological index for non-randomized studies was used for quality evaluation.

RESULTS

Computed tomography and cone beam computed tomography were preferentially used for SABG treatment outcome verification. There were different assessment protocols. Due to the ways in which results were presented, methods were divided into five groups: linear measurements, volumetric measurements, density measurements, percentage ratios, and scales. There was only one randomized, controlled trial with high methodological quality.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Currently, 3D X-ray imaging is a standard treatment outcome verification method for SABG. 2. It is necessary to establish the required postoperative follow-up time for best SABG treatment outcome assessment. More prospective studies to assess bone graft outcomes after 6 months and 1 year are required.