Histomorphometric evaluation of human sinus floor augmentation healing responses to placement of calcium phosphate or Ricinus communis polymer associated with autogenous bone.

BACKGROUND Prosthetic rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla with dental implants is often difficult because of proximity to the maxillary sinus and insufficient bone height. Maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedures aim to obtain enough bone with an association between biomaterials and autogenous bone. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate histomorphometrically two grafting materials (calcium phosphate and Ricinus communis polymer) used in maxillary sinus floor augmentation associated with autogenous bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS Biopsies were taken from 10 consecutive subjects (mean age 45 years) 10 months after maxillary sinus floor augmentation. The sinus lift was performed with a mixture of autogenous bone and R. communis polymer or calcium phosphate in a 1:2 proportion. Routine histologic processing and staining with hematoxylin and eosin were performed. RESULTS The histomorphometric analysis indicated satisfactory regenerative results in both groups for a mean of bone tissue in the grafted area (44.24 +/- 13.79% for the calcium phosphate group and 38.77 +/- 12.85% for the polymer group). Histologic evaluation revealed the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate of mononuclear prevalence that, on average, was nonsignificant. The histologic sections depicted mature bone with compact and cancellous areas in both groups. CONCLUSION The results indicated that both graft materials associated with the autogenous bone were biocompatible, although both were still present after 10 months.