Nasoalveolar Molding and Gingivoperiosteoplasty Versus Alveolar Bone Graft: An Outcome Analysis of Costs in the Treatment of Unilateral Cleft Alveolus

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the financial impact of two treatment approaches to the unilateral cleft alveolus. The recently advocated nasoalveolar molding (NAM; Grayson et al., 1999) and gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP; Santiago et al., 1998) at the time of lip repair were compared with the traditional approach of secondary alveolar bone graft. Design: The records of all patients (n = 30) with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus treated by a single surgeon during 1985 through 1988 were examined retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 patients (n = 14) were treated by lip repair, primary nasal repair, and secondary alveolar bone graft prior to eruption of permanent dentition; group 2 patients (n = 16) were treated by NAM, GPP, lip repair, and primary nasal repair. Patients who required secondary alveolar bone graft after GPP were noted. The cost of treatment by each protocol was calculated in 1998 dollars. Results: The average cost of treatment for a p...