An complete overview of alveolar cleft bone defects and its management

A better understanding of anatomy, embryology, and the growth of facial structures has dramatically revolutionized the management of alveolar clefts over the past century. Treatment goals have been refined and therapeutic options established only to unleash an array of controversies surrounding the timing and type of management. This article provides an overview of alveolar clefts, providing a background on embryology and etiology, along with past, present and future treatment modalities.