Comparison of 2- and 3-dimensional radiologic evaluation of secondary alveolar bone grafting of clefts: a systematic review

Comprehensive three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography assessment unilateral alveolar cleft reconstruction using autologous iliac cancellous bone combined with deproteinized bovine bone: A clinical retrospective evaluation

Large-volume autologous iliac cancellous bone grafting for alveolar cleft may lead to undesirable bone resorption and susceptible donor-site morbidity, whereas the addition of deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) could optimize outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining autologous iliac bone with DBB using three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (3D-CBCT) for better analysis of bone generation than conventional evaluation methods. Thirty-six patients with unilateral alveolar cleft were assigned into two groups. Group A (n = 21) underwent autogenous cancellous bone graft harvested from the anterior iliac crests, while Group B (n = 15) received a composite of autogenous iliac cancellous bone and DBB. Patients in Group B displayed higher bone filling rates (P < 0.0001) and lower bone absorption rates (P < 0.001) than those in Group A at both 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Additionally, there were directional differences in bone absorption within the bone grafts, with more absorption observed on the alveolar crest and palatal sides than that on the nasal and labial sides (P < 0.001). This study demonstrates that employing a combination of DBB and autologous bone in alveolar cleft repair achieves better outcomes of bone grafting.

Differences in the panoramic appearance of cleft alveolus patients with or without a cleft palate

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to clarify the panoramic image differences of cleft alveolus patients with or without a cleft palate, with emphases on the visibility of the line formed by the junction between the nasal septum and nasal floor (the upper line) and the appearances of the maxillary lateral incisor.

Materials and Methods

Panoramic radiographs of 238 patients with cleft alveolus were analyzed for the visibility of the upper line, including clear, obscure or invisible, and the appearances of the maxillary lateral incisor, regarding congenital absence, incomplete growth, delayed eruption and medial inclination. Differences in the distribution ratio of these visibility and appearances were verified between the patients with and without a cleft palate using the chi-square test.

Results

There was a significant difference in the visibility distribution of the upper line between the patients with and without a cleft palate (p<0.05). In most of the patients with a cleft palate, the upper line was not observed. In the unilateral cleft alveolus patients, the medial inclination of the maxillary lateral incisor was more frequently observed in patients with a cleft palate than in patients without a cleft palate.

Conclusion

Two differences were identified in panoramic appearances. The first was the disappearance (invisible appearance) of the upper line in patients with a cleft palate, and the second was a change in the medial inclination on the affected side maxillary lateral incisor in unilateral cleft alveolus patients with a cleft palate.

Residual calcified material volume of β-tricalcium phosphate with platelet-rich fibrin in unilateral alveolar bone graft

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in unilateral alveolar bone graft, involving the percentage of residual calcified material and the average labiopalatal thickness of the grafts on cone beam computed tomography at 6 months after surgery, comparing two age groups 12 years and under and over 12 years old.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative defect volume was 0.93 ± 0.20 cm3, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.652). In the postoperative period, we did not record any abnormal bleeding and no infection was observed. Six months after surgery, the mean percentage of residual calcified material was 63.53 ± 16.48% with a significantly higher difference in the age group 12 and under (p < 0.001), and the mean average labiopalatal thickness of the grafted bone was 5.72 ± 1.09 mm with a significantly higher difference in the age group 12 and under (p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Using β-TCP and PRF in alveolar bone graft surgery has acceptable effectiveness clinically and on CBCT images, with significantly higher differences of the percentage of residual calcified material and the average labiopalatal thickness of the grafted bone in the group 12 years old and younger than in the older group.

Effect of adjuvant autologous platelet concentrates on secondary repair of alveolar clefts: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To review the existing evidence on the adjuvant use of autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) with iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) in the reconstruction of the secondary alveolar cleft.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched systematically until November 2022. Clinical trials comparing the three-dimensional radiological outcomes of patients who underwent secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) with ICBG and APCs to those with ICBG alone and the radiological outcomes assessed 6 months after surgery were included. Two authors performed the study selection and the assessment of the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model to determine the risk ratio (RR) for developing wound dehiscence and the mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the percentage of newly formed bone.

RESULTS

Nine studies (seven RCT and two CCT) were included with a low to high risk of bias. At the 6-month follow-up, the study group revealed insignificant results regarding the percentage of newly formed bone (MD = 6.49; 95% CI: -0.97, 13.94; p = .09; χ2  = 0.01; I2  = 71%). In addition, the overall risk of developing wound dehiscence was lower in the study group (RR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.78; p = .01; χ2  = 0.67; I2  = 0%).

CONCLUSION

Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support the adjuvant use of APCs with ICBG on enhanced bone regeneration following secondary alveolar bone grafting. However, combining ICBG and APCs might be beneficial in reducing the risk of developing wound dehiscence.

Evidence Mapping and Quality Analysis of Systematic Reviews on Various Aspects Related to Cleft Lip and Palate

BACKGROUND

Management of cleft lip and palate is interdisciplinary. An evidence-mapping approach was envisaged to highlight the existing gaps in this field, using only the highest level of evidence.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct evidence mapping and quality analysis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to any aspect of cleft lip and palate.

SEARCH METHODS

The cleft lip and palate field was divided into 9 domains and 50 subdomains and a method of categorization of systematic reviews was established. A comprehensive search strategy was carried out in seven databases along with the search of gray literature and references of included articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Systematic reviews related to any aspect of cleft lip and palate, conducted by a minimum of two reviewers, with a comprehensive search strategy and adequate quality analysis were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

A self-designed, pre-piloted data-extraction sheet was used to collect information that was analyzed through an expert group discussion. Quality analysis was performed using ROBIS-I, AMSTAR 2, and the PRISMA checklist.

RESULTS

A total of 144 systematic reviews published between 2008 and 2022 were included. The largest number of these could be categorized in the therapeutic domain (n = 58). A total of 27% of the studies were categorized as inconclusive, 40% as partially conclusive, and 33% as conclusive. As per ROBIS-I, 77% of reviews had high risk of bias while 58% were graded as critically low in quality as per AMSTAR 2. The majority of systematic reviews showed low reporting errors.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of systematic reviews related to cleft lip and palate relate to therapeutic and prognostic domains and show high risk of bias and critically low quality regardless of the source journal. The results of this paper might serve as a starting point encouraging authors to carry out high-quality research where evidence is lacking.

REGISTRATION

A multidisciplinary expert-group formulated an a priori protocol, registered in Open Science Framework (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/NQDV2).

A Three-Dimensional Scale for the Qualitative and Quantitative Assessments of Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting (SABG) in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

Background The objective of our study was to derive an objective assessment scale for three-dimensional (3D) qualitative and quantitative evaluation of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) using cone-bone computed tomography (CBCT) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Methods CBCT scans for pre- and 3-month post-SABG were reviewed for bone volume, height, width, and density of the bony bridge formed in the cleft defect in 20 patients with UCLP. Basic descriptive and principal component analysis was used to extract the various sub-components of the scale. Spearman's correlation was used to check the validity of the scale, and intra-class coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's α were calculated to establish the reliability and retest applicability of the scale.

Results Each CBCT scan was assessed in five areas: cementoenamel junction (CEJ), root apex, root midpoint, 3 and 6 mm below CEJ, and tabulated in percentiles of 20, 25, 40, 50, 60, and 75 for all the parameters (bone volume, density, and width). These scores were validated when correlated to the scale given by Kamperos et al. Cronbach's α for the domains demonstrated acceptable to excellent internal consistency. The ICC showed good test–retest reliability having a range of scores from 0.89 to 0.94.

Conclusion The proposed scale for the 3D assessment of SABG in patients with UCLP provides gradation for the objective assessment of the bony bridge. This gradation enables the qualitative and quantitative assessments of the bony bridge, thus allowing each clinician to judge SABG more conclusively.

Influence of periapical lesion size on healing outcome following regenerative endodontic procedures: a clinical investigation

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to investigate the influence of the periapical lesion size on healing outcome following Regenerative Endodontic Procedures (REPs) in mature teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and Mimics software.

METHODS

The study included ten mature necrotic maxillary anterior teeth with periapical lesions ≥ 3 CBCT Periapical index score (CBCTPAI). REPs via blood clots were performed for all the teeth. CBCT scans were taken pre and postoperatively after 12 months follow-up periods and transferred to Mimics for volume measurements and comparison. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULT

All teeth were symptom-free with a statistically significant decrease in the volume of the periapical lesion (P < 0.05) after 12 months except for one case.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that REPs could be a successful treatment modality for mature necrotic teeth with periapical lesions however the size of the preoperative periapical lesion could affect the outcome of the periapical healing.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT04646538).

Does Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding Reduce the Need for Future Bone Grafting in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a technique that is utilized in patients with cleft lip/palate before performing lip surgery. This procedure has been shown to result in a more aesthetic nose with lesser columellar deviation and reduced scaring. The aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term results of NAM and gingivoperiosteoplasty in patients with cleft lip and palate.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

An electronic search of databases (ie, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar) from inception to March 2021 was performed and after selecting the eligible studies, relevant data were collected using piloted extraction forms. The success rate of NAM and gingivoperiosteoplasty, and Bergland score were pooled using random-effects inverse variance meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis and systematic review. The pooled mean success rate of NAM with gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP) based on the continuity of alveolar bone structure was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 54-85). This means that in 71% of cases NAM + GPP treatment eliminated the need for future bone grafts. Also, no significant difference between the success rate (risk ratio = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.64-1.58) and mean Bergland score (mean difference = 0.64, 95% CI = -1.04 to 2.31) of NAM + GPP and skeletal bone graft was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Nasoalveolar molding and gingivoperiosteoplasty was successful in 71% of cases treating patients with cleft lip and palate. This treatment is similar with the secondary alveolar bone graft in both the success rate and the alveolar height that it generates while being less invasive and with lower morbidity.

Evaluation of the CBCT imaging accuracy in the volumetric assessment of unilateral alveolar cleft

INTRODUCTION

Appropriate radiographic evaluation is a fundamental step for determining the topography of the defect before the surgical intervention for alveolar bone grafting. Evaluation of cleft volume by CBCT has been done in dry skull samples in previous studies and it was recommended as an effective tool in the volumetric evaluation of the bone defect prior to the surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative clinical use of CBCT¹ imaging in determining the alveolar cleft volume.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a clinical study. 20 patients with unilateral alveolar cleft underwent preoperative radiographic evaluation using CBCT scan. Volumetric measurement was performed by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist using 0.5, 1, and 2 mm slices and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon using 2 mm slices. After the closure of the nasal floor and palatal mucosa, the alveolar defect was clinically measured with putty impression material. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed and the p-value was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

This study showed that there is a statistically significant difference between CBCT-estimated and clinical volumes of the alveolar cleft (paired T-test, p-value < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Considering the significant difference between clinical and CBCT-estimated volumes of the alveolar cleft, CBCT imaging is not considered an accurate tool for pre-operative volumetric assessment of the alveolar cleft.

Regenerative Strategies in Cleft Palate: An Umbrella Review

(1) Background: Alveolar bone defects or decreased alveolar bone height and width may have different causes, such as cleft palate. Regenerative procedures in oro-dental defects are challenging due to anatomical factors and the distinct cell populations involved. The iliac crest bone graft remains the gold-standard for cleft palate closure. However, tissue regeneration approaches have been employed and their outcome reviewed, but no conclusions have been made about which one is the gold-standard. (2) Methods: this umbrella review aims to critically appraise the effectiveness of the current approaches in bone defects regeneration in non-syndromic patients with cleft palate. A search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science and EMBASE databases. (3) Results: Systematic reviews of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials with or without meta-analysis were included. Nine articles were included in the qualitative analysis and five in the quantitative one. The included studies quality was evaluated with AMSTAR2. (4) Conclusions: The use of new regenerative strategies, such as bone morphogenic protein 2, appears to provide similar results regarding bone volume, filling, and height to the standard technique with the iliac crest bone graft.