Sinus Floor Augmentation With Ambient Blood and an Absorbable Collagen Sponge: A Prospective Pilot Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clinically, radiologically, and histologically evaluate a sinus augmentation technique using a resorbable collagen sponge to maintain space between the Schneiderian membrane and the residual crestal bone.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Patients with partially edentulous maxillae were clinically and radiographically evaluated for implant placement. A total of 10 consecutive patients with the bone height for implant placement (<4.0 mm) were enrolled in the study. The lateral maxillary wall was surgically exposed and the Schneiderian membrane was carefully elevated. A collagen wound dressing was placed in the antral area between the sinus floor and the raised membrane. The vertical sinus floor height was calculated using cone-beam computed tomography before the surgical procedure (baseline) and at 6 months postoperative. Immediately after the second scan, a core biopsy was removed for histological evaluation. The biopsy site was then further prepared for implant placement in the same location.

RESULTS

Biopsies showed mature cancellous bone with a predominantly lamellar structure. Well-vascularized intertrabecular spaces were filled with connective tissue and bone marrow. Analysis of bone height changes showed significant mean (SD) differences before and after procedures in anterior (2.67 ± 0.62 mm and 11.15 ± 1.1 mm), medial (2.98 ± 0.55 mm and 10.96 ± 0.77 mm), and posterior (3.17 ± 0.91 mm and 10.63 ± 0.51 mm) maxillary jaw locations (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

The collagen sponge provided an effective substrate for osseous regeneration of the sinus floor.