Goal:

The aim of the study was to histologically determine the role of the repositioned lateral bone window in bone maturation in sinus lift procedure. Furthermore, the osteoconductivity and resorptive behavior of cerabone®, which was used as the sole grafting material, was analyzed. Biopsies were taken ~6 months (group 1) or ~9 months (group 2) after sinus grafting.

Main findings:

• The repositioned bone windows were well integrated and showed bone growing out in direction to the center of the graft, hinting to its osteogenic potential.
• Newly formed bone was covering most of the surface area of the cerabone® particles, pointing at its excellent osteoconductive potential.
• A histomorphometric analysis showed no significant differences between both groups regarding new bone formation, connective tissue values or remaining grafting material.
• TRAP-positive osteoclasts were found on the surface of cerabone® indicating a slow, partial resorption of the bone grafting material.

Conclusions:

The repositioned bone window showed osteoconductive and limited osteogenic potential promoting bone formation in sinus floor augmentation. cerabone® proved to be a highly effective osteoconductive bone grafting material supporting bone maturation.

Tawil G, Barbeck M, Unger R, Tawil P, Witte F.
Sinus Floor Elevation Using the Lateral Approach and Window Repositioning and a Xenogeneic Bone Substitute as a Grafting Material: A Histologic, Histomorphometric, and Radiographic Analysis.
Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2018 Jun 12.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29894551

Mike Barbeck, Ghaith Al Tawil, Rita Unger