Maxillary sinus augmentation: histologic and histomorphometric analysis.

PURPOSE Implant placement in the posterior maxilla may often be contraindicated because of insufficient bone volume and the presence of the maxillary sinus. In these situations, sinus floor lifting and grafting frequently have been proposed as the best treatment. The aim of this study was to compare histologically the use of 100% autogenous bone versus a combination of autogenous bone and corticocancellous pig bone for maxillary sinus augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen patients requiring bilateral maxillary sinus augmentation were selected for this study. Bone for grafting was harvested from the iliac crest. Each patient received 100% autogenous bone in 1 randomly selected sinus (control side) and a 1:1 mixture of autogenous bone and corticocancellous pig bone particles in the contralateral sinus (test side). Five months after the augmentation procedure, bone biopsy specimens were taken at the time of implant placement. RESULTS No complications were observed during the surgical procedures; all patients healed uneventfully. No signs or symptoms of maxillary sinus disease were observed during the 5 months after surgery. No significant differences in bone percentages were observed in the bone biopsies from test and control sides. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION It could be concluded from this study that corticocancellous pig bone particles can be successfully used in a 1:1 mixture with autogenous bone from the iliac crest for maxillary sinus augmentation in cases of severely atrophic maxilla.