Clinical, histological and histomorphometrical study of maxillary sinus augmentation using cortico-cancellous fresh frozen bone chips

BACKGROUND: Insufficient bone volume in the posterior maxilla can be a major problem when placing dental implants. One of the goals of sinus augmentation procedures is the creation of sufficient volume of vital bone for the subsequent insertion and complete osseointegration of implants placed in the posterior maxilla. The aim of the present study was a clinical, histological and histomorphometrical analysis of maxillary sinus augmentation using human fresh frozen bone (FFB) allografts for maxillary sinus lift augmentation procedures. METHODS: Fifteen patients were treated with maxillary sinus augmentation using FFB. After three months, a bone biopsy was taken before implant placement in order to evaluate the healed bone from a histological and histomorphometrical point of view. After further three months, all implants were osseointegrated according to radiographic and clinical examinations. Abutment connection was performed and the patients received prosthetic restoration of the missing teeth. RESULTS: Histologically all the specimens showed signs of active remodelling and all the tissues were free of inflammatory cells. After 12 months of assessment, no implants had failed. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that FFB is a biocompatible material that can be successfully used for maxillary sinus augmentation.