Clinical Feasibility of Autogenous Lateral Sinus Wall Bone Plate for Ridge Augmentation: A Surgical Innovation

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Regenerative Dentistry
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Sinus floor elevation is crucial for dental implant placement in the posterior maxilla.
• Traditional bone grafting often requires secondary donor sites, increasing morbidity.
• Autogenous bone is considered the gold standard for bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate a novel surgical technique for simultaneous maxillary sinus augmentation and ridge augmentation.
• To assess the feasibility and outcomes of using autogenous bone plates from the lateral maxillary sinus wall.
• To determine bone regeneration, resorption rates, and implant success following this approach.

Main Methods:

• A surgical technique involving harvesting autogenous bone plates from the lateral maxillary sinus wall during sinus floor elevation.
• Fixation of the polished bone plate to create a rigid cortical shell (bone shell technique).
• Evaluation of clinical outcomes in a preliminary case series, including bone gain, resorption, and implant placement.

Main Results:

• Predictable bone regeneration was achieved with horizontal bone gain of 4.18 mm.
• Resorption rate was 11.96% at 1 mm apical to the alveolar crest.
• Mean harvested bone plate thickness was 1.20 mm, with no major complications and successful implant placement.

Conclusions:

• The lateral maxillary sinus wall is a viable and effective donor site for autogenous bone in sinus augmentation and ridge reconstruction.
• This technique integrates bone harvesting and augmentation, avoiding secondary donor site morbidity.
• The described approach offers a predictable and safe method for achieving bone regeneration for dental implants.