Volume Stability Following Sinus Elevation Using Lateral Window Technique in Taiwanese Subjects-Preliminary Study

Abstract

＂Background＂: When it is necessary to implant teeth onto an alveolar bone whose height is insufficient due to alveolar crest resorption caused by maxillary sinus pneumatization and long-term missing teeth, sinus elevation must be done in advance or concurrently in order to increase the height of the alveolar crest. Sinus elevation with the lateral window technique is commonly adopted to improve the insufficient height of the alveolar bone in the posterior maxillary edentulous area. Application of bone graft in combination with the regeneration membrane is proven to be an effective approach that helps correct the insufficient height of the alveolar bone. The aim of this study was to analysis the vertical height change of alveolar crest after sinus augmentation surgery and during the subsequent follow-up period by using panoramic radiography, and to evaluate its relationship of the height of alveolar ridge, age and gender. ＂Materials and Methods＂: Data were collected from a total of 26 patients who received spiral CT and Panorex radiography at the Department of Dentistry, Chi Mei Medical Center from January 2011 to December 2013 for this study. Panorex images were obtained after these patients had sinus elevation using the lateral window technique to facilitate measurements of the height of the residual bone and the change to the height of the crest after surgery. Then the same technique was adopted to measure the maximum height of the bone during the follow-up period. Data analyzed included (1) changes to the vertical height of the crest bone after sinus augmentation procedure and to the height during the follow-up period and (2) impacts of gender, age, and the right or left side on post-operative crest variation. ＂Result＂: A total of 26 patients, 16 female and 10 male, were included in this study. Patients were followed up over a period of 12.15 months on average. The height increased to the alveolar bone after sinus elevation using the lateral window technique was 12.39 mm on average and the mean variation to the alveolar crest during the post-operative follow-up period was a reduction of 1.03 mm on average. Data analysis on the gender, age, and right or left side showed no statistically significant difference. ＂Conclusion＂: Sinus elevation using the lateral window technique can effectively correct the issue of insufficient height of the alveolar crest. During the post-operative subsequent follow-up period, the mean vertical height of the alveolar crest demonstrated 8% bone resorption; nevertheless, a certain crest height could be kept as a whole. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of gender, age, and the right or left side. (J Taiwan Periodtontol, 20(3):178-184, 2015)