[Clinical study of bioglass for repairing alveolar cleft.].

PURPOSE To analyse the results of using Bioglass to repair alveolar cleft. METHODS Thirty-nine cases with alveolar cleft were divided into two groups. In group A, autogenous iliac cancellous bone were transplanted into the cleft to repair alveolar defect in 25 cases, while artificial bone-Bioglass was used in group B of 14 cases. The results of two groups were compared with a follow up of 12 months. RESULTS New bone formation was perfect in grafted area and canines can emerge from the bone grafted areas observed from the X-ray films both in group A and group B. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between group A and group B in the clinical success rate of alveolar cleft repair. However, there was significant difference between complete alveolar cleft and incomplete alveolar cleft in group A and group B. CONCLUSION Bioglass can result in new bone formation and eruption of canines from the bone grafted areas. The application of Bioglass in repairing of alveolar cleft provides a new therapy for alveolar cleft patients.