[Bone substitutes used for sinus lift]

In dental surgery today a variety of bone substitutes are used for sinus lift. After the increased application of synthetics during the last decade there has now been a move back to autologous bone transplants, combined with allogenic and xenogenic augmentation materials. The effects of transforming growth factors and recombinant equivalents of bone morphogenetic proteins remain to be seen. Covering the augmented area with a collagen membrane is the basic standard in many cases. Concomitant illnesses of dental origin or of the maxillary sinus have to be assessed prior to any sinus lift. Once complications such as laceration of the Schneiderian membrane, infection or adverse reaction have occurred, early and consistent therapy is required.