An overview on bone reconstruction of atrophic maxilla: success parameters and critical issues

Long-term success rate of implants inserted in atrophic maxilla is ensured through sufficient bone volume in edentulous sites. Reconstructive surgery is necessary before implant placement to regenerate bone defects caused by atrophy, dental trauma, extractions or periodontal disease. Success rate of implants is related to the correct position and angulation of implants in residual crest, so that height and thickness of bone augmentation can allow predictable results. The most popular surgical procedures to obtain bone augmentation are: bone grafts, guided bone regeneration, maxillary sinus floor elevation, and bone osteogenesis distraction. Bone graft is the gold standard technique to achieve bone augmentation of edentulous crests and to obtain appropriate bone volume and morphology. Guided bone regeneration is a surgical technique that uses barrier membranes to promote osteoblast cells proliferation and exclude other cells such as epithelium and connective tissue cells. Guided bone regeneration is often combined with bone grafting procedures. Sinus floor elevation procedures are elective treatments when there is insufficient bone height for implant insertion in maxilla. Sinus floor elevation for implant insertion in maxilla in conjunction with autologous bone was described with long-term follow-up. Bone osteogenesis distraction is the process of bone generation between two bone segments in response to tensile stress. The aim of this short review is to analyze the different methods of increasing bone in atrophic maxilla: bone grafts, guided bone regeneration, maxillary sinus floor elevation, and bone osteogenesis distraction.