Maxillary sinus augmentation using sinus membrane elevation and peripheral venous blood for implant-supported rehabilitation of the atrophic posterior maxilla: Case series

Background Dental implants need appropriate bone volume for adequate stability in the rehabilitation after tooth loss. In the severely atrophic posterior maxilla, the clinical success of implant treatment sometimes requires a vertical ridge augmentation in the maxillary sinus floor. Purpose The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate a maxillary sinus floor augmentation technique using a replaceable bone window, elevation of the membrane, placement of implants, and injection of the patient's own venous blood to fill the voids. Materials and Methods Six patients with need of maxillary sinus floor augmentation participated in the study. After preparation of a replaceable bone window in the lateral aspect of the sinus and careful elevation of the Schneiderian membrane, a total of 14 Branemark implants (TiUnite, MK III, Nobel Biocare AB, Goteborg, Sweden) were installed in the residual bone penetrating into the sinus cavity. The sinus cavity was then filled with peripheral venous blood and the bone window replaced and stabilized with a medical tissue glue (Aron Alpha A, Sankyo, Inc., Tokyo, Japan) to prevent blood leakage from the created compartment in the maxillary sinus. Results After a healing period of a minimum of 6 months, new bone was successfully generated in all 14 implant sites as judged from radiographs. One of the 14 implants failed, corresponding to a survival rate of 92.9% after a follow-up period ranging 12 to 34 months. Conclusions The present case series demonstrate that the creation of a secluded space in the maxillary sinus and filling with venous blood results in bone formation at simultaneously installed dental implants over a 6-month period.