The search yielded 1735 citations, of which 38 met the inclusion criteria. We noticed a large variability in imaging protocols and bone graft evaluation methods between studies. Most articles were observational studies with medium to low methodological quality, except for the one randomised clinical trial having a low risk of bias.  Conclusions: There is a lack of prospective, controlled trials based on a consistent imaging protocol with a sufficiently long follow-up period. A pressing need exists for the development of a consistent optimized imaging protocol for diagnosis and follow up of SABG in CLP patients. Although 3D evaluation methods seem to be more precise than two-dimensional methods, we should be careful when comparing the outcomes arising from different 3D measuring techniques.

The investigated proteins were presented in a theoretical model of OTM. We can conclude that the cell activation and differentiation and recruitment of osteoclasts is mediated by osteocytes, osteoblasts and PDL cells, but that the osteogenic differentiation is only seen in stem cell present in the PDL. In addition, the recently discovered Ephrin/Ephs seem to play an role parallel with the thoroughly investigated RANKL/OPG system in mediating bone resorption during OTM.

The majority of the included articles reported a delay in tooth development or -eruption in CLP patients. A mean delay of 0.56 years was found for all types of clefts.  The lateral incisor at the cleft side was generally the most delayed. The teeth near the cleft showed a greater delay than the teeth further away from it. An increased risk of asymmetrical tooth development in CLP patients was observed.

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is one of the most frequent microdeletion syndromes and presents with a highly variable phenotype. In most affected individuals, specific but subtle facial features can be seen. In this observational study, we aim to investigate the craniofacial and dental features of 20 children with a confirmed diagnosis of 22q11.2DS by analyzing 3-dimensional (3D) facial surface scans, 2-dimensional (2D) clinical photographs, panoramic and cephalometric radiographs, and dental casts. The 3D facial scans were compared to scans of a healthy control group and analyzed using a spatially dense geometric morphometric approach. Cephalometric radiographs were digitally traced, and measurements were compared to existing standards. Occlusal and dental features were studied on dental casts and panoramic radiographs. Interestingly, a general trend of facial hypoplasia in the lower part of the face could be evidenced with the 3D facial analysis in children with 22q11.2DS compared to controls. Cephalometric analysis confirmed a dorsal position of the mandible to the maxilla in 2D and showed an enlarged cranial base angle. Measurements for occlusion did not differ significantly from standards. Despite individual variability, we observed a retruded lower part of the face as a common feature, and we also found a significantly higher prevalence of tooth agenesis in our cohort of 20 children with 22q11.2DS (20%). Furthermore, 3D facial surface scanning proved to be an important noninvasive, diagnostic tool to investigate external features and the underlying skeletal pattern.

This study stresses the importance of considering the possible effects of orthodontic treatment on third molars during treatment planning.

Orofacial cleft, lip, alveolar bone and/or palate (CLP) is one of the most common congenital birth defects worldwide affecting up to 1 in 700 children. 1 Patients with CLP suffer from negative self-confidence due to functional and aesthetic impairments, therefore, surgical techniques have been introduced to improve both types of impairments such as alveolar bone grafting. 2,3 Secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) is usually performed on children at the age of 8-12 years when the canine roots are one-half to two-thirds

The new age prediction method developed in South African black children was found to be better compared to Willems BC, although the difference seems to be small and clinically not relevant, especially in males.

The objective was to present an optimized imaging protocol for orofacial cleft (OFC) patients, which might be used as an international recommendation for OFC care programs. The present radiological protocol has been structured by the OFC team of the University Hospitals Leuven based on a combined approach of clinical experience and scientific evidence. The development was based on careful monitoring of the existing needs for radiological diagnosis by the involved disciplines. Needs were revised by expert consensus and radiological optimization. Effective doses were converted to panoramic equivalents (professional conversion) and background radiation (patient conversion). At the age of 6, a panoramic radiograph is taken for the evaluation of dental anomalies. For the preoperative planning of secondary alveolar bone, grafting a low‐resolution cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) of a limited field of the maxilla is taken at the age of 7 to 9. At the age of 10, 15, and 20, a low‐resolution CBCT of both jaws with the smallest possible field is taken serving as conventional, presurgical, and end of treatment records, respectively. Two‐dimensional images are reconstructed out of 3D ones. There are currently no international guidelines concerning the imaging protocol for OFC patients. It is clear that a multidisciplinary approach plays a key role in radiation hygiene. In this article, we presented an optimized imaging protocol for OFC patients based on European guidelines to accomplish the concepts of justification and optimization, which might be used as an international recommendation for OFC care programs.