β-TCP versus autologous bone for repair of alveolar clefts in a goat model.

Objective: The aim of this study in goats was to test the hypothesis that a novel synthetic bone substitute beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) can work as well as autologous bone harvested from the iliac crest for grafting and repair of alveolar clefts.

Design: Ten adult Dutch milk goats (Capra hircus) were used in a split-mouth study design.

Main Outcome Measures: Volumetric histologic assessment of new bone formation and radiographic measurement of orthodontic movement of teeth in a formerly created alveolar cleft.

Conclusions: The synthetic bone substitute β-TCP was shown to result in bone healing similar to that of iliac crest bone. The surgical, orthodontic, and histologic results now warrant the testing of β-TCP in the human cleft situation.