Description of the research question

In children undergoing unilateral alveolar cleft reconstruction, would stem cells carried on collagen scaffold provide bone of a good quality and quantity if compared to autogenous bone grafting?

Objective of the study:

• Research hypothesis

The tissue engineered constructs will provide sufficient bone of a good quality and quantity if compared to autogenous bone graft in children undergoing unilateral alveolar cleft reconstruction.

• The objectives

The primary objective:

Assessment of bone volume (quantity) which will be provided by tissue engineered constructs compared to that provided by autogenous bone for maxillary alveolar cleft reconstruction.

The secondary objective:

Assessment of bone density (quality) which will be provided by tissue engineered constructs compared to that provided by autogenous bone for maxillary alveolar cleft reconstruction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with maxillary unilateral alveolar clefts requiring reconstruction
• Children free from any systemic disease that may affect normal healing of bone
• Children in an age range (8-14) year.

Exclusion criteria

• Bilateral alveolar clefts.
• Cleft lip or palate not including the alveolus.
• Immunocompromized patients.
• Children who undergone previous bone grafting procedure for the alveolar cleft