Early secondary bone grafting in children with alveolar cleft does not modify the risk of maxillary permanent canine impaction at the age of 10 years.

Objective: The risk of maxillary permanent canine retention is elevated in children with cleft lip and palate (CLP). This study compared this risk in 10 ± 1 year-old patients with unilateral CLP (UCLP) who underwent or not early maxillary bone grafting at the age of 6 ± 1 years.

Methods: Retrospective, controlled monocentric and observational study with the following inclusion criteria: patients with UCLP, isolated cleft, pre-surgery orthodontic maxillary expansion, same surgical protocol, same surgical team.