Maxillary sinus augmentation with bovine bone and simultaneous dental implant placement in conditions of severe alveolar atrophy: a retrospective analysis of a consecutively treated case series

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze 14 consecutively treated cases of dental implants placed along with sinus lift procedures in patients with severe bone atrophy (residual bone height of 2 to 5 mm). METHOD AND MATERIALS: Thirty-one implants were placed with a lateral window sinus lift in 14 patients using deproteinized bovine bone alone (no membrane) for the graft. The implants were monitored for a mean 43.20 ± 9.30 months (minimum, 25.00 months; maximum, 53.00 months) after placement and 32.40 ± 11.10 months (minimum, 11.40 months; maximum, 41.60 months) after fitting of the prostheses. The outcome measures evaluated were implant success, radiographic measurements (original alveolar bone height, peri-implant marginal bone loss, and relationship of implant apex to graft), implant-related probing pocket depth (PPD), Bleeding Index (BI), and prosthesis sucess. RESULTS: The implant success rate was 93.3%. The mean real alveolar bone height was 3.05 ± 0.87 mm, and there was evidence of peri-implant marginal bone loss (mean, 1.02 ± 1.40 mm). The relationship of implant apex to graft remained stable during follow-up. PPD was < 5 mm in 91.6% of implants. The BI was 11.6%. The prosthetic success rate was 100%. Discussion: These findings indicate that dental implants can be employed successfully, even in conditions of severe bone atrophy, using only heterologous bone, provided suitable methods and materials are used (eg, site preparation, rough implant surfaces, and self-tapping screw implants). CONCLUSION: The treatment described appears to afford acceptable results, with lower overall costs and treatment time.