Radiologic and Histomorphometric Evaluation of Maxillary Sinus Grafting with Alloplastic Graft Materials

BACKGROUND: Sinus lifting procedures are widely used to obtain adequate bony support for implant placement at the atrophic maxillae. The aim of this study was to compare various sinus lifting and grafting techniques and materials. METHODS: Nine maxillae were treated with delayed and 46 maxillae with immediate implant placement techniques. A total of 104 implants were inserted. Panoramic radiographs were obtained prior to, after, and 6 to 8 months after surgery. Computed tomographies were also taken before and after surgery. The height of new bone was compared. Biopsy specimens were obtained during delayed implant placement and analyzed histomorphologically. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the panoramic radiographs for delayed and immediately placed implants, or between the graft materials. We observed correlations between the panoramic radiographs and computerized tomographies. CONCLUSION: Both delayed and immediate placement of implants can be used safely for sinus lifting. There were no statistically significant differences between the various graft materials.