CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF SAFESCRAPER® IN MAXILLARY SINUS FLOOR ELEVATION AND RIDGE AUGMENTATION

Abstract

Introduction. Although there is a wide variety of bone grafting materials for the augmentation of the deficient alveolar ridge, autogenous bone is still considered to be the gold standard. There are various methods for harvesting autologous bone grafts. Among these, Safescraper® is conveniently used as a harvesting device of autogenous cortical bone in oral Implantology and reconstructive surgery, ensuring high volumes of grafting material with a minimally invasive and predictable procedure. Purpose. The purpose of this presentation is to showcase the clinical applications of Safescraper® in various augmentation procedures and to review the existing literature for the evidence supporting its application in clinical practice. Materials and Methods. In the presented cases, Safescraper® provided surface-derived autogenous bone graft deriving from the maxillary tuberosity, the zygomatic buttress, the lateral sinus wall, the pyriform aperture of the nose, the external oblique ridge and the mandibular symphysis. The collected autogenous bone has been mixed either with xenograft, or autologous venous blood, or platelet-rich fibrin and used in procedures such as: Maxillary sinus floor elevation, Reconstruction of periimplant defects, Reconstruction of alveolar ridge defects with onlay autogenous blocks, or bone rings, Ridge augmentations using resorbable collagen membranes, titanium-reinforced non-resorbable membranes or titanium meshes, Ridge augmentations using the Khoury technique. Results. Satisfactory amounts of autogenous bone have been harvested in all cases. The bone harvesting procedure was swift, reliable and devoid of any complications. Conclusion. Safescraper® is an extremely useful, cost-effective and minimally invasive device for collecting bone to adequately cover the needs in autogenous grafts everyday clinical practice.