A clinical long-term radiographic evaluation of graft height changes after maxillary sinus floor augmentation with a 2:1 autogenous bone/xenograft mixture and simultaneous placement of dental implants

The aim of the present study was to assess long-term changes in sinus-graft height after maxillary sinus floor augmentation and simultaneous placement of implants. A total of 191 patients who underwent maxillary sinus floor augmentation were radiographically followed for up to about 10 years. A 2 : 1 mixture of autogenous bone and bovine xenograft (Bio-Oss(R)) was used as the graft material. Sinus-graft height was measured using 294 panoramic images immediately after augmentation and up to 108 months subsequently. Changes in sinus-graft height were calculated with respect to implant length and original sinus height. Patients were divided into three groups based on the height of the grafted sinus floor relative to the implant apex: Group I, in which the grafted sinus floor was above the implant apex; Group II, in which the implant apex was level with the grafted sinus floor; and Group III, in which the grafted sinus floor was below the implant apex. After augmentation, the grafted sinus floor was consistently located above the implant apex. After 2-3 years, the grafted sinus floor was level with or slightly below the implant apex. This relationship was maintained over the long term. Sinus-graft height decreased significantly and approached original sinus height. The proportion of patients classified as belonging to Group III reached a maximum from year 3 onwards. The clinical survival rate of implants was 94.2%. All implant losses occurred within 3 years after augmentation. We conclude that progressive sinus pneumatization occurs after augmentation with a 2 : 1 autogenous bone/xenograft mixture, and long-term stability of sinus-graft height represents an important factor for implant success.