Volumetric changes and graft stability after lateral window sinus floor augmentation: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract Introduction The present investigation compared the stability and volumetric changes of two different grafting material used for lateral window sinus floor augmentation (LWSFA). Methods Sixteen patients with a total 20 maxillary sinuses in need of LWSFA were included in the present study. The sinuses were grafted with either 100% anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM) alone (Group 1) or a mixture (0.8:1 ratio) of ABBM and mineralized cortical allograft (MCA) (Group 2). Cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) was obtained pre‐operatively, and at 2‐weeks, and 6‐months after LWSFA to perform linear measurements including lateral window dimensions, sinus anatomy, residual bone height/thickness (RBH/RBT), and Schneiderian membrane thickness (SMT), among others. Three‐dimensional segmentation analysis was used to evaluate changes of bone graft volume/height (GV/GH). Results A total of 10 sinuses per group were included in the analysis. No statistically significant difference was found in between groups regarding mean reduction of GV (Group 1: 14.87% ± 16.60%, Group 2: 18.06% ± 9.81%, p = 0.33). Among the linear measurements, only SMT revealed a significant increase after 2‐weeks more pronounce in Group 1 (8.70 mm) when compared with Group 2 (5.70 mm) with plausible effect upon LWSFA outcomes. Sinus width showed weak positive correlation with GH reduction after 6 months. Conclusion This study demonstrated that both ABBM alone and ABBM + MCA represent suitable alternatives for LWSFA with adequate graft stability as they revealed similar volumetric and linear dimensional changes 6 months postoperatively.