ABSTRACT
Review of alveolar bone grafting techniques for alveolar clefts. Areas reviewed were timing, graft materials and donor site. Key published papers up to the time of publication were reviewed. Autogenous bone grafting is seen as the material of choice, with there being advantages and disadvantages for each potential donor site, which should therefore be discussed and decided upon with the patient. In the United Kingdom the consensus is to coincide with eruption of the canine or, where indicated, the lateral incisor. Most sources agree that delay until adulthood is to be avoided if possible although there will be exceptions where this becomes necessary. In the United Kingdom, units providing cleft surgery are expected to record a Kindelan score for all patients with a unilateral cleft lip and palate 6 months after an alveolar bone graft. This requires an anterior occlusal radiograph to be taken 6 months postoperatively.
