Long-Term Bone Height Changes After Sinus Floor Elevation With Maxillary or Mandibular Bone Grafts: A Radiological...

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Dental Implantology
• Bone Grafting Techniques

Background:

• Maxillary sinus floor elevation (MSFE) is a common procedure to augment bone height in the posterior maxilla.
• Autogenous bone grafts from the maxilla or mandible are frequently used for MSFE.
• Assessing the long-term impact of graft source on maxillary bone height is crucial for predictable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of maxillary versus mandibular autogenous bone grafts on maxillary bone height following MSFE.
• To evaluate the long-term bone height changes and implant survival rates in patients undergoing MSFE with different graft sources.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 92 patients who underwent MSFE with either maxillary (n=37) or mandibular (n=55) bone grafts.
• Panoramic radiographs were used to measure bone height up to 60 months postoperatively.
• Comparison of bone height changes at different positions (gap, free-end, distal to implant).

Main Results:

• Both graft types initially increased maxillary bone height post-MSFE.
• A gradual bone height loss was observed over time in both groups, with no significant difference for gap and free-end positions.
• Mandibular grafts demonstrated less bone loss at distal to implant positions.
• All implants remained covered by bone without exposure or loss, indicating successful MSFE.

Conclusions:

• Maxillary and mandibular autogenous bone grafts yield similar long-term bone height patterns after MSFE.
• Both graft sources provide predictable bone augmentation for dental implant placement.
• The choice between maxillary and mandibular grafts may be influenced by specific site requirements, particularly for distal implant positions.