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Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Calvarial Model of Bone Augmentation in Rabbit for Assessment of Bone Growth and Neovascularization in Bone Substitution Materials
Published on: August 13, 2019
Sequential healing of the elevated sinus floor with different size of antrostomy: a histomorphometric study in
Alessandro Scala1, Jose Viña-Almunia2, Carmen Carda3,4
1ARDEC Academy, Rimini, Italy.
Purpose:
To study the influence of the access window dimensions on the healing at the antrostomy and within the augmented maxillary sinus.
Material And Methods:
A maxillary sinus augmentation was performed in twenty-four albino New Zealand rabbits. Antrostomies of 3 × 6 mm (small) or 5 × 6 mm (large) in dimensions were randomly prepared in each animal. A collagenated cortico-cancellous porcine bone was used to fill the elevated region, and an equine collagen membrane was placed on the antrostomies. Three different groups were formed, based on the time of euthanasia, i.e., 2, 4, and 8 weeks from surgery.
Results:
No relevant changes of the height of the augmented sinus were detected over time. Mineralized bone increased between 2 and 4 weeks of healing while remained stable between 4 and 8 weeks. The highest amounts of new bone were found close to the sinus bone walls. No antrostomies were found healed with an even layer of corticalized bone, while large amounts of connective tissue were occupying the antrostomy in both groups.
Conclusion:
Antrostomies of different dimensions resulted in similar outcome in bone formation both in the antrostomy regions and within the elevated sinus.
