In a complete cleft lip and palate patient, the surgical repair does not end with the repair of the palate. There is still a need to fill the gap in the alveolus of the patient to achieve optimal results and to allow proper alignment of the teeth and movement of the upper arch of the jaw.

Alveolar bone grafting addresses this gap by harvesting bone on the iliac crest and filling the gap in the alveolus. Talk to your plastic surgeon to better understand this procedure and the options available for the patient.