Hydroxyapatite agarose composite gels as a biochemical material for the repair of alveolar bone defects due to cleft lip and palate

PurposeHydroxyapatite agarose composite gel (HAp gel) is a radiolucent and absorbable bone–graft material that differs from hydroxyapatite ceramic; it is more rapidly absorbed and replaced by new bone than existing materials. This study examined the usefulness of HAp gel in the repair of alveolar bone defects due to cleft lip and palate.Materials and methodsHAp gel was prepared by an alternate soaking technique. HAp gel was mixed with an equal volume of autologous bone and applied to bone defects due to cleft lip and palate (mixture group). As a reference group, 10 cases were treated with autologous bone graft alone (bone group). To determine the presence of osteogenesis, bone density on X-ray film was measured at the transplanted site and surrounding normal bone, and the ratio was calculated. The marginal bone level was assessed by intraoral radiography.ResultsIn the mixture group, the bone density of the transplanted site increased on radiography 1 month postoperatively and was maintained thereafter. A similar increase in bone density was observed in the bone group. The marginal bone level in the alveolar cleft was similar between groups. There were no complications such as infection and prolonged inflammation of the transplanted bone in association with the use of HAp gel.ConclusionsThe mixture of HAp gel and autologous bone is as effective as autologous bone in the treatment of bone defects due to cleft lip and palate. HAp gel can reduce the weight of autologous bone required.