UCLA

In a bone-grafted, mid-palatal defect model, both local and systemic applications of Zoledronate resulted in higher bone volume fractions and bone mineral densities (BMD) compared to control (BV/TV: 69% and 63% vs. 39%; BMD: 0.63 and 0.59 vs. 0.41 g/cm^3, respectively). Increased bone graft retention and incorporation with new bone formation were observed in treated groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the systemic and local treatment groups. Although osteoclast numbers did not differ among the three groups, serum TRAP-5b levels confirmed that systemic administration, but not local delivery, had inhibitory effects on osteoclasts throughout the body. Furthermore, a single, low-dose, systemic application of ZA at 7 days of age delayed the eruption of the first and second molars in rat pups. Utilizing bisphosphonates in enhancing bone formation and limiting bone resorption proves to be a superior treatment method in achieving better outcomes in cleft lip and/or palate patients. In conjunction, local delivery may offer several advantages, such as ease of application and limiting systemic effects, over systemic administration.