Measurement of volume changes of sinus floor augmentation covered with buccal fat pad: a case series study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the volumetric changes of the maxillary sinus graft in conjunction with buccal fat pad (BFP) covering the lateral sinus wall.

In this article, the radiographic results are presented on 11 consecutively treated patients using an equal mixture of the autogenous bone harvested from the tuberosity and natural bone mineral (Bio-Oss) used to augment the maxillary sinus. Buccal fat pad was used over the lateral sinus wall in all cases as a membrane to cover the augmentation material. The mean initial bone height (IBH) was 3.82 mm as measured in the posterior maxilla. Three months after sinus elevation, radiographic evaluation was performed for the patients and secondary bone height was measured (SBH(1)). Fifty-two implants were placed in augmented sinuses. Prosthetic rehabilitation of the patients was done 4 months after inserting the implants. Radiographs were taken 6 months after implant placement and secondary bone height was measured (SBH(2)).

Of 52 implants, 51 (98%) were considered clinically successful. One implant was removed because of mobility at the time of surgical exposure. Clinically, no complications were observed, and all implants were considered clinically osseointegrated after 6 months. Mean bone height was measured as 3.82 mm before sinus grafting. SBH(1) and SBH(2) were measured as 12.22 mm and 10.5 mm respectively.

The clinical findings suggested that BFP might be a substitute for bioresorbable collagen membranes in maxillary and sinus floor bone grafts.