First Clinical Application of New Bone Substitute Material to the Alveolar Cleft

Secondary bone grafting of alveolar cleft using autologous particulate cancellous bone from the ilium is an essential treatment for cleft lip/palate patients. However, secondary surgical invasion represents a disadvantage. To avoid this disadvantage, octacalcium phosphate collagen composites (OCP/Col) were developed as a new bone substitute material. Through preclinical studies and clinical application for cyst holes and extraction sockets, OCP/Col demonstrated satisfactory bone repair. In this case report, OCP/Col alone was implanted into a 13-year-old patient with incomplete unilateral cleft lip and alveolus. Postoperative changes of the OCP/Col treated site were evaluated by computed tomography for two years after operation. It was revealed that sufficient bone bridge was formed in the treated alveolar cleft after implantation of OCP/Col without autologous bone grafting. At the bottom of the nasal cavity, preoperative asymmetry was improved. In addition, usual orthodontic treatment was completed 1 year and 10 months postoperatively, and good occlusion was achieved. These results suggest that OCP/Col is clinically applicable as bone regenerative material, representing an alternative to autologous bone grafting.