The application of bone graft substitutes for alveolar ridge preservation after orthodontic extractions and for augmentation of residual cleft defects.

The use of bone substitute materials in orthodontics is to be considered prior to orthodontic space closure after tooth extraction during the treatment of marked crowding as well as for treatment of residual defects in cleft-lip-and-palate children. In both cases the common objective is structure preservation or augmentation of the alveolar ridge. The demands to be made on the synthetic bone graft substitute comprise not just complication-free and safe use but also the chance of early tooth movement into the treated defect area with sufficient stability of the new tooth position.