A retrospective study of the effects of sinus membrane elevation on bone formation around implants placed in the maxillary sinus cavity

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the height of new bone formation in the maxillary sinus after implants were inserted into the maxillary sinus without any additional grafting material after sinus membrane elevation. Study design. Nine patients with a combined total of 10 implants that were inserted into the maxillary sinus more than 4 mm (range, 4-6 mm) after sinus membrane elevation were evaluated for endosinus bone gain and crestal peri-implant bone loss 4 months after implantation using computerized tomography and dental radiographs. Results. The mean endosinus bone gain was 3.5 +/- 0.6 mm. The mean crestal peri-implant bone loss was 0.1 +/- 0.1 mm. Conclusion. The results indicated that elevation of the sinus membrane without the addition of a bone-grafting material led to bone formation in the sinus. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009;107:364-368)