Tissue Engineered Constructs for Alveolar Cleft Repair

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.