Maxillary Sinus Floor Augmentation Using Biphasic Calcium Phosphate and a Hydrogel Polyethylene Glycol Covering Membrane : An Histological and Histomorphometric Evaluation

PURPOSE:: Maxillary sinus floor augmentation with a lateral approach is usually performed using a bone substitute covered with standard collagen or a synthetic barrier membrane to prevent soft tissue ingrowth within the bone graft. The purpose of this case series was to evaluate a polyethylene glycol (PEG) membrane with a hydrogel consistency, used to protect the lateral sinus anstrotomy, by analyzing the histological quality and histomorphometric quantity of newly formed bone (NB) in a maxillary sinus graft using biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). MATERIALS AND METHODS:: Fifteen sinuses were grafted from 12 patients. Six months after the maxillary sinus floor augmentation, bone biopsies were harvested from 7 patients during the implant placement second-step surgery. RESULTS:: The histomorphometric evaluation of the 7 grafted sinuses showed mean values of 27.4 ± 4.6% for NB, 26.9 ± 5.4% for remaining BCP particles, and 45.7 ± 6.0% for connective tissue/bone marrow. No implant failure was observed in the 14- to 45-month follow-up period after maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedure and in the 8- to 39-month follow-up period after implant loading. CONCLUSION:: The use of a hydrogel PEG membrane to protect BCP proved to be a valuable grafting procedure to enhance the vital bone formation in the maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedure.