A new clinical index scale for measuring secondary alveolar bone grafting success based on canine eruption

Abstract Objectives To develop a reproducible, reliable clinical index of alveolar bone grafting (ABG) outcome based on the eruption position of the cleft canine tooth and determine the association between eruption position and radiographic outcome at 6 months post-grafting. Methods Children with complete, non-syndromic, unilateral/bilateral cleft lip and palate in the West of Scotland were identified. Post-ABG radiographic outcome (Kindelan index) and canine eruption position in children with a cleft of the alveolus who had undergone ABG were documented. A Kindelan score was assigned to the 6-month post-bone-graft radiograph. Following canine tooth eruption, four-point clinical index scale (CIS) scores were assigned to maxillary occlusal images taken prior to commencement of definitive orthodontics; 1—canine eruption in alveolar crest, 2—canine eruption buccal to alveolar crest, 3—canine eruption palatal to alveolar crest, and 4—canine impaction. Intra and inter-rater reliability was assessed using Cohen and Fleiss kappa’s, respectively. Duration of orthodontics treatment, number of orthodontic clinic visits, and clinical management of the cleft site space were noted. Results Eighty-three patients representing 98 bone graft sites were identified. CIS scoring intra- and inter-rater reliability was 0.69–0.99 and 0.63–0.75, respectively. CIS score was associated with reduced visits (P = .015), months in orthodontics (P = .009), and likelihood of space closure (P = .006). Limitations This is a retrospective study with small numbers but is comparative to other similar studies in the literature. Conclusions The CIS presented appears to be a reliable index of ABG outcome. It also demonstrates an association with the burden of orthodontic care post-cleft alveolar bone graft.