43 patients with primary palatal clefts (53 clefts) were treated by secondary osteoplasty. In 85% of cases the graft enabled closure of the bucco-nasal fistula and alveolar continuity was reestablished in 98% of cases. Complications were minimal and did not generally affect the final result. The ideal age for the procedure would seem to be between 8 and 11 years, thereby allowing eruption of the canine under normal conditions and the production of a continuous dental arcade.