Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with cleft lip and palate by comparing the clinical effectiveness of autologous bone grafts and xenogeneic graft materials. The objective is to provide evidence-based insight into the comparative efficacy of these grafting approaches. MAIN BODY: A systematic search of the literature published between January 2004 and January 2023 identified 606 studies. Following a series of screening processes, five studies met the inclusion criteria, including only two randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The selected studies specifically evaluated xenogeneic bone graft materials derived from bovine sources, with allograft materials excluded. The results demonstrated no statistically significant difference between autologous and xenograft grafts in terms of postoperative bone graft volume and height in patients with cleft lip and palate. These findings provide important insight into the comparative effectiveness of grafting materials used in secondary alveolar bone grafting. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the findings indicate that autologous and xenogeneic graft materials yield comparable outcomes in secondary alveolar bone grafting for patients with cleft lip and palate. These results may inform clinical decision-making and guide future research in optimizing grafting strategies.