A 2-year prospective case series on volumetric changes, PROMs, and clinical outcomes following sinus floor elevation using deproteinized bovine bone mineral as filling material.

BACKGROUND

A sinus floor augmentation may be indicated when a lack of hard tissue impedes implant placement. Although clinically successful, evidence supporting the long-term three-dimensional stability of the grafted volume is scarce. Second, evidence on the patient's acceptance of this type of treatment is limited.

PURPOSE: First is to evaluate the changes in graft volume after lateral wall sinus lifting based on superimposed cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and then to assess patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Partially edentulous patients in need of a sinus lift and fixed reconstruction on at least two neighboring implants were selected for a prospective case series. Lateral wall sinus augmentation was performed using deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) as the only filling material. Volumetric changes were quantified on the basis of a preoperative CBCT and three postoperative CBCTs (at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 2 years). PROMs and clinical parameters were registered.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (7 males, 15 females; mean age 59 years) participated of which three patients dropped out during the follow up. Graft volumes amounted to 1418.26 mm3 at 2 weeks, 1201.21 mm3 at 3 months, and 1130.13 mm3 at 2 years postoperative pointing to a relative graft volume stability of 79.7%. Swelling was the leading symptom during the first week. A peak in visual analogue scale scores was observed for pain, swelling, and hematoma the day of surgery and 1 day postoperation with a statistically significant decline between days 3 and 7. Hemorrhage and nose bleeding occurred in 18.2% and 27.3% of the subjects, respectively. About 95.5% of the subjects would undergo the treatment again. All implants integrated successfully and demonstrated healthy clinical conditions.

CONCLUSION

Lateral wall sinus augmentation using DBBM as the only filling material is a viable treatment concept given limited graft resorption, good patients' tolerance, and clinical outcomes.