Alveolar crest clefts are associated with cleft lip or palate and are characterized by bony incisions in the tooth bed, fissures and malformation, absence and ectasia of the teeth around the fissures; they also affect the shape of the affected nasal floor and nasal wing.
The treatment of alveolar ridge crack is mainly to perform alveolar ridge crack bone grafting.
1. The main objectives of treatment.
(1) To increase the stability of the upper jaw and connect 2-3 pieces of maxillary bone separated by clefts into one piece. To prepare for orthodontic treatment of dental malocclusion.
(2) To elevate the ipsilateral nasal floor and improve the nasolabial profile.
(3) Close the oronasal fistula present at the dental cavity.
2.Surgery time.
Before the eruption of permanent cuspids (commonly known as tiger teeth), that is, at the age of 9-11 years old, bone implants are placed.
3.Source of bone graft.
Generally, the bone cancellous of the left iliac bone is taken for bone grafting, which will affect the activity of the left leg in the short term, but it will return to normal after 2-3 weeks, and avoid heavy physical labor and exemption from physical education classes within 1 month after surgery.
4.Preparation for bone grafting.
(1) Oral X-ray examination: three oral x-ray films and chest X-ray examination are required.
(2) Treatment of teeth around the alveolar ridge fissure.
(3) If the width of the alveolar crest fissure and maxillary teeth is too narrow, preoperative orthodontic treatment is required.
(4) Preoperative nasal hair clipping and skin preparation in the iliac region.
5.Postoperative care.
(1) Diet: fluid food is required within three days after bone grafting, semi-liquid food after three days, and normal diet can be resumed after 2 weeks, but try to avoid biting hard objects in the bone grafting area to prevent the wound from cracking.
(2) Postoperative application of antibiotics: regular intravenous medication for 5 days, oral antibiotics can be taken after 5 days.
(3) Oral cleaning: oral rinsing is needed for 3-5 days after surgery. If the patient cannot tolerate it, he can also rinse his own mouth to maintain oral hygiene.
6.Postoperative orthodontics.
Orthodontics is performed at the earliest in 3 months after surgery, and it is necessary to take pictures to check the bone healing.