Application of limited cone beam computed tomography to clinical assessment of alveolar bone grafting: A preliminary report

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical applicability of limited cone beam computed tomography (Dental 3D-CT) for assessment of bone-grafted alveolar cleft. Patients and Methods: Seventeen bone bridges were examined after alveolar bone grafting in 13 patients with cleft lip and palate. All bone bridges, including cleft-adjacent teeth, were examined by plain radiography and the Dental 3D-CT imaging system. Results: The plain radiographs showed the approximate condition of the bone bridge and cleft-adjacent teeth. The Dental 3D-CT images clearly showed precise three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the bone bridge, 3D relationships between the bone bridge and the roots of cleft-adjacent teeth, and their periodontal condition. In addition, the conditions surrounding dental implants installed in the bone bridge could be observed three-dimensionally. Conclusions: The results indicate that the Dental 3D-CT imaging system is suitable for clinical assessment of alveolar bone grafting before and after installation of dental implants or orthodontic treatment of the cleft-adjacent teeth.