Histomorphometric Analysis of Maxillary Sinus Grafts: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Maxillary sinus grafting (MSG) is a common procedure to augment bone volume in the posterior maxilla.
• Selection of appropriate bone graft material is crucial for successful new bone formation and osseointegration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of three different bone graft materials in promoting new bone formation following maxillary sinus grafting.
• To evaluate the histomorphometric outcomes of anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM), anorganic equine bone mineral (AEBM), and mineralized cancellous bone allograft (MCBA).

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 21 patients undergoing MSG for edentulous posterior maxilla.
• Random assignment of graft materials: ABBM, AEBM, or MCBA.
• Bone core samples harvested after a mean of 9.1 months for histomorphometric analysis of vital bone, residual bone, and connective tissue.

Main Results:

• Significant differences observed in vital bone percentage (VB%), residual bone materials (RBM%), and connective tissue (CT%) among the groups.
• MCBA group demonstrated significantly higher VB% (32.0%) and lower RBM% (5.5%) compared to ABBM and AEBM.
• No significant difference in VB% or RBM% between ABBM and AEBM.

Conclusions:

• Mineralized cancellous bone allograft (MCBA) is superior in promoting new bone formation in MSG compared to ABBM and AEBM.
• Anorganic equine bone mineral (AEBM) exhibited comparable histomorphometric results to anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM).
• Graft materials integrated well without signs of inflammation or foreign-body reaction.