Elevation Procedure Research Articles

Ear Elevation Using 2-Tiered Costal Cartilage on the Same Side as the Reconstructed Framework

Ear elevation for the constructed auricle in patients with microtia is more difficult than total reconstruction of the auricle, although this procedure tends to be underestimated. Using costal cartilage for ear elevation may sometimes be difficult owing to its insufficient availability when it is harvested from the ipsilateral costal cartilage for the ear framework. We made both the ear framework and the base for elevation using only the unilateral sixth, seventh, and eighth costal cartilages to solve this problem. Our method for ear elevation is reported. The ear elevation procedure was performed in 28 patients with unilateral microtia. A 2-stage method was used, with framework assembling of the auricle in the first stage and ear elevation of the constructed auricle in the second stage. The technique was designed to make the entire constructed framework and base cartilage for elevation using only the unilateral sixth, seventh, and eighth costal cartilages All patients displayed an acceptable ear contour after the ear reconstruction procedure. There was no cartilage absorption or infection for 6 to 10 years after surgery. The auricular projections were well maintained, and the cephaloauricular angles of the constructed auricles were similar to the healthy ears at 6 to 10 years after surgery. Mean elevation was 32 degrees. The constructed auricle, which was made from only the costal cartilage ipsilateral to the framework, could be elevated to a mean angle of 32 degrees, and it could be maintained for 6 to 10 years. This method is an option for elevating the constructed auricle.

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation in patients with maxillary sinus pseudocyst: case report

The maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure has gained popularity with predictable results, and is a safe, acceptable technique for bone augmentation, providing a base for dental implant treatment. Faint radiopaque lesions at the base of the maxillary sinus are frequent diagnoses on radiographs and must be identified during dental implant planning. Pseudocysts classically appear hemispheric, homogeneously opaque, and well delineated in panoramic and periapical radiographs. The great majority of these lesions are asymptomatic and do not require surgical treatment. In this case report, we present 4 patients who had a maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure using either crestal or lateral approaches in the presence of antral pseudocysts. No complications were encountered during follow-up periods in these patients and all implants are functioning successfully.

Sinus floor elevation procedure with immediate implant placement using artificial bone substitutes: a prospective clinical study

Background and objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical status of implants placed immediately in lifted maxillary sinus using Resorbable Tissue Replacement (R.T.R.) cone bone substitutes. Methods: Twenty implants were placed in twenty patients in the period between Jan. 2006 and Sept. 2010. Lateral approach, open window method for sinus lift with placement of Resorbable Tissue Replacement Cone bone substitutes were carried out. A 4-6 mm of the bone level was required in the alveolar ridge for primary stability, with sufficient inter-arch space for the prosthesis. All implants were placed in upper molar region simultaneously with sinus lift procedure in conjunction with Tissue Replacement Cone bone substitutes. The implant survival was defined when the prosthesis had been delivered and followed for two years without infection, pain, and mobility after loading. Results: Twenty patients, 13 males and 7 females, with an average age of 41 years old were participated in this study. A total of twenty implants were followed up for two years. Eighteen patients with eighteen implants (90.0%) showed no signs of sinusitis or other complications and the peri-implant health judged to be good with a peri-implant sulcus depth of 2-3mm. Two implants (10%) showed mobility before loading. Conclusion: A good survival rate was observed in implants placed immediately in lifted maxillary sinus using Resorbable Tissue Replacement (R.T.R.) cone bone substitutes.

Sinus Graft With Safescraper: 5-Year Results

In the procedure of sinus floor elevation, autogenous bone, allogenic grafts, and several other bone substitutes are used. However, autogenous bone is still considered the gold standard. Donor sites for autogenous bone are generally the iliac crest, oral cavity, calvarium bone, and tibia. In this work the experience with the use of a Safescraper device for harvesting of autogenous bone is reported and a decision-making algorithm for grafting in sinus floor elevation procedures is proposed. Forty sinus augmentation procedures were performed in 34 patients. All sinuses were filled with a mixture of autogenous bone and bovine hydroxyapatite. A Safescraper device was used to harvest autologous bone from the maxillary area. Platelet-rich plasma was used to sustain bone placement. Sixty-five dental implants were placed at 4 months with a flapless procedure. A clinical and radiological 5-year retrospective case series of a cohort is reported. In all cases new bone formation was confirmed radiologically and implant placement was performed successfully. Analysis of samples obtained by biopsy with histology and microcomputed tomography showed the presence of mature bone. Healing problems were observed in only 1 case. Sinus augmentation with bone grafts obtained from oral cavity with a bone scraper device has the advantage of providing autogenous bone without the need for an extra surgical approach. This procedure yields satisfactory results in bone formation, implant survival, and patient satisfaction. When combined with a flapless approach for implant placement, a decrease in the morbidity of the entire process is achieved.

A new surgical technique for preservation of endodontically treated teeth with coronally located vertical root fractures: a prospective case series

The purpose of this study was to present a new surgical preservation technique for teeth with incomplete vertical root fracture. Seventeen patients with 1 endodontically treated maxillary anterior tooth in which an incomplete vertical root fracture involving only the buccal side was suspected underwent a flap elevation procedure to visualize the pattern of bone loss and assess the type of root fracture. If the preoperative diagnosis was confirmed, a groove following the fracture line was prepared using retro-tips driven by an ultrasonic device and sealed with mineral trioxide aggregate after filling of the bone defect with calcium sulfate. A total of 10 vertical root fracture repair procedures were performed. At 12 months' follow-up, all cases showed clinical and radiographic success. After 33 months, 7 patients were available for a follow-up: 5 cases remained successful, and 2 teeth (lateral incisors) failed. The present surgical approach for preservation of teeth with incomplete vertical root fracture demonstrated satisfactory results regarding clinical outcome.

Two-Dimensional DOA Estimation by Cross-Correlation Matrix Stacking

In this paper, we present a novel scheme to improve the two-dimensional (2-D) direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation performance for narrowband signals impinging on two orthogonal uniform linear arrays (ULAs). The proposed scheme exploits the cross-correlation matrix information between subarray data to construct a stacking matrix and derive an expanded signal subspace representation through the singular value decomposition (SVD). This method enables the alleviation of the effects of additive noise. In particular, 2-D DOA estimation can be achieved by computing two rotation matrices with the same set of eigenvectors obtained by partitioning the expanded signal subspace. The pair matching procedure for elevation and azimuth angles is implemented by permutation test. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method performs better than the existing techniques in DOA estimation as well as the detection of successful pair matching.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following closed sinus floor elevation procedure: mallet osteotomes vs. screwable osteotomes. A triple blind randomized controlled trial

To compare mallet osteotomes with screwable osteotomes determining benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) following the osteotome closed sinus floor elevation procedure. This triple-blind randomized controlled trial involved 196 patients affected by edentulous atrophic ridges (107 males and 89 females; mean age 62.05±7.10; age range 49-79 years), requiring an osteotome closed sinus floor elevation procedure. Patients were randomly allocated to either a mallet-osteotomes group (Group 1, n=98) or a screwable osteotomes group (Group 2, n=98). Two different surgeons, blind to the study, performed the closed sinus lift procedure according to the blocks allocation. A complete post-surgical examination, including the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, was performed on 196 patients before and after surgery. The diagnosis of BPPV was supported by the existence of ageotropic nystagmus concurrent with vertigo. Three patients of Group 1 (3/98-3.06%) showed a BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal omo-lateral to the implanted side 1 or 2 days after the surgical procedure, which was promptly solved using the Epley re-positioning maneuver. Preparation of implant beds with osteotome and mallet transmits percussive and vibratory forces capable of detaching the otoliths from their normal location; moreover, the patient's surgical head position favors the displacement of otoliths into the posterior semicircular canal. Implant surgeons should be aware of this possible complication following closed sinus lift procedure and patients should always be informed before undergoing surgery.

Maxillary sinus floor elevation with bovine bone mineral combined with either autogenous bone or autogenous stem cells: a prospective randomized clinical trial

To assess whether differences occur in bone formation after maxillary sinus floor elevation surgery with bovine bone mineral (BioOss(®)) mixed with autogenous bone or autogenous stem cells. The primary endpoint was the percentage of new bone three months after the elevation procedure. In a randomized, controlled split-mouth design, in 12 consecutive patients (age 60.8 ± 5.9 years, range 48-69 years) needing reconstruction of their atrophic maxilla, a bilateral sinus floor augmentation procedure was performed. Randomly, on one side the augmentation procedure was performed with bovine bone mineral (BioOss(®)) seeded with mononuclear stem cells harvested from the posterior iliac crest (test group) while BioOss(®) mixed with autogenous bone (harvested from the retromolar area) was applied on the contra-lateral side (control group). On 14.8 ± 0.7 weeks after the sinus floor elevation, biopsies from the reconstructed areas were taken at the spots where subsequently the endosseous implants were placed. The biopsies were histomorphometrically analyzed. Significantly more bone formation was observed in the test group (17.7 ± 7.3%) when compared with the control group (12.0%± 6.6; P=0.026). In both the test and control group, all implants could be placed with primary stability. In one patient, not all biopsies contained BioOss(®). This patient was excluded from analysis. Mesenchymal stem cells seeded on BioOss(®) particles can induce the formation of a sufficient volume of new bone to enable the reliable placement of implants within a time frame comparable with that of applying either solely autogenous bone or a mixture of autogenous bone and BioOss(®). This technique could be an alternative to using autografts.

Osteotome sinus floor elevation technique without grafting: a 5‐year prospective study

To evaluate the long-term stability of peri-implant bone formation following implant placement without grafting into resorbed posterior maxillae. Twenty-five implants of 10 mm were placed in 17 patients to rehabilitate atrophic maxillae by means of an osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) procedure without grafting. Mean residual bone height was 5.4±2.3mm. Bone levels were evaluated at 1, 3 and 5 years using periapical radiographs. All implants fulfilled survival criteria and gained peri-implant bone (mean increase 3.2±1.3mm). Implant protrusion into the sinus decreased from 4.9±1.9mm after surgery to 1.5±0.9mm after 5 years. Mean crestal bone loss amounting to 0.8±0.8mm stabilized over the 5-year observation interval. Twenty implants showed additional peri-implant bone gain following the 1-year control. Implant rehabilitation of atrophic maxillae may be greatly simplified using implants 10mm and the OSFE technique without grafting. Grafting material is not needed to gain at least 3mm of bone in the atrophic maxilla. The procedure appears predictable with favourable long-term results.

Static and dynamic periosteal elevation: a pilot study in a pig model

The osteoinductive potential of periosteum and bone can be stimulated by elevating the periosteum in a distraction-like modus, but also by an ad-hoc elevation. This was tested and proved in an experiment in 9 Goettingen mini-pigs with elevation heights of 5, 10 and 15mm. Specially designed and perforated titanium meshes were implanted subperiosteally to compare the dynamic elevation procedure with static shielding. The cumulative results for bone formation underneath the mesh were 66% in dynamic and 67% in non-dynamic elevation. The cumulative results for mineralization of the bone regenerates in comparison with the underlying basal bone of the skull showed independently from the technique applied no difference bigger than 5%. No major difference in bone formation could be observed in this pilot study. The main advantages of dynamic periosteal elevation and static shielding are minimal invasion and morbidity. Periosteal elevation could be applied in cranio-maxillofacial surgery, in preimplantological augmentation and in reconstructive surgery of the skull; applications in other specialties may be possible.

Oroantral Communication as an Osteotome Sinus Elevation Complication

The sinus elevation procedure is a predictable technique to allow for placement of dental implants in the posterior maxilla when the height of the alveolar ridge is limited. The sinus elevation can be performed by various techniques. In the crestal approach, bone graft is utilized to hydraulically elevate the sinus membrane through an osteotomy prepared in the alveolar crest. The implant can be placed either immediately or at a later surgery. This is a case report of an oroantral communication that developed as a complication to a sinus elevation surgery performed with the crestal approach. A 54-year-old female patient presented for dental implant treatment. The patient reported sleep apnea and smoking. Full-thickness flap was reflected in the posterior maxilla and using trephines, an osteotomy was prepared, 1 mm short of the sinus. The trephined core of bone was pushed into the sinus using osteotomes. Particulate bone graft was introduced through the osteotomy to elevate the sinus membrane, and a collagen membrane was used over the bone graft. Six days after surgery, the patient returned to the clinic with an oroantral communication. The patient reported that she was using a positive-pressure breathing mask at night because of sleep apnea. A flap was extended to the tuberosity area and was rotated palatally to achieve closure. The use of the pressure breathing mask was discontinued. The oroantral communication was successfully closed. Relatively few complications have been reported using the osteotome sinus elevation technique. The use of a positive pressure mask may have complicated a sinus elevation surgery. Other factors that may have contributed to this complication include smoking and delayed healing of the area.

Meta‐regression analysis of the initial bone height for predicting implant survival rates of two sinus elevation procedures

To undertake a systematic review for the association between the initial alveolar bone height and the success of dental implants with sinus elevation procedures. An online search was performed using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Medline, Science Direct, and Blackwell synergy. Two investigators independently assessed publications for inclusion and extracted data. Meta-regression analyses were used to test the associations between the initial alveolar bone height and implant survival with lateral window or osteotome sinus elevation procedures. Of 635 studies, 21 were included for analysis. A quadratic curve-fitting meta-regression showed an increasing trend of implant survival rate with greater initial bone height for the lateral window technique (p<0.0001, adjusted R(2)=0.97). The result of the meta-regression for hazard rates showed a decreasing trend (p=0.0041, adjusted R(2)=0.89). No association was found for the osteotome technique. For the lateral window technique, meta-regression analysis suggested a positive association between the initial alveolar bone height and implant survival rates. No relationship was found between the initial alveolar bone height and implant survival rate for the osteotome technique due to a lack of data below 4 mm of initial bone height.

Predictability of simultaneous implant placement with sinus floor elevation in the severely atrophic posterior maxillae ; Comparison of lateral and trans-crestal approaches

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the survival rates and analyze the stability of lateral approach and trans-crestal approach for maxillary sinus floor elevation of simultaneous implant placement. Materials and method 407 patients who have been treated in LivingWell dental hospital between 2003 to 2009 were selected. Lateral window technique, osteotome technique and sinus drill technique were used for sinus floor elevation procedure. A total of 714 implants-MP-1 HA coated implant(Tapered Screw VentTM, SplineTM, Zimmer, USA), FBR surfaced implant(Pitt-EasyTM, Oraltronics, Germany)-were placed in grafted maxillary sinus simultaneously. The autogenous bone or a combination with the allograft or alloplast was grafted into sinus. Sinus floor elevation was combined with vertical/horizontal onlay bone grafts to reconstruct the defect of alveolar ridge. Results The average preoperative height of the maxillary alveolar bone was 5.78mm(range: 0.4mm~12.5mm). 14 implants failed during the healing period(lateral approach: 4, trans-crestal approach: 10) and 3 implant failed after prosthetic loading(lateral approach: 2, trans-crestal approach: 1). The cumulative survival rate of implants after 6 years was 97.6%. Trans-crestal approach(97.4%) and lateral approach(97.9%) had similar survival rates. Conclusion The results indicate that the trans-crestal approach and lateral approach for maxillary sinus elevation is a acceptable method at atrophic maxillary posterior area.

Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser–Assisted Access Osteotomy for Maxillary Sinus Elevation: A Human and Animal Cadaver Study

To evaluate the usability of a variable square pulse (VSP) erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser for a lateral access osteotomy to the maxillary sinus in the course of a sinus elevation procedure. In six formalin-fixed human heads and six fresh sheep heads, a VSP Er:YAG laser was used to perform a bilateral maxillary access osteotomy. For the osteotomies, the Er:YAG laser was applied with a pulse energy of 1000 mJ, a pulse duration of 300 mus, and a frequency of 12 Hz. The spot size was 0.9 mm, and the handpiece was kept approximately 10 mm from the bone surface. In all 24 sites investigated, the Er:YAG laser osteotomy was possible without any visible carbonization or thermal damage. The average time required for laser osteotomy for 12 standardized rectangular lateral windows in human cadavers was 39 s. No anatomical structures limited laser osteotomy, yet a critical evaluation of any membrane perforations was not possible because the postmortem fixation method caused partial detachment and fractional destruction. Laser-access osteotomy in six fresh sheep heads (12 sites) revealed major disruptions and perforations (<8 mm) of the sinus membrane (100%). Even though VSP Er:YAG laser osteotomy showed convincing results for efficient bone cutting without thermal damage, applied laser parameters do not seem to be practicable for any clinical sinus elevation procedure. Missing depth control resulted in uncontrollable severe damage of the underlying membrane.

The use of Straumann® Bone Ceramic in a maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure: a clinical, radiological, histological and histomorphometric evaluation with a 6‐month healing period

In this study, we evaluated the quality and quantity of bone formation in maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure using a new fully synthetic biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) consisting of a mixture of 60% hydroxyapatite and 40% of beta-tricalcium phosphate (Straumann Bone Ceramic). A unilateral maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure was performed in six patients using 100% BCP. Biopsy retrieval for histological and histomorphometric analysis was carried out before implant placement after a 6-month healing period. In this study, the maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure with the use of BCP showed uneventful healing. Radiological evaluation after 6 months showed maintenance of vertical height gained immediately after surgery. Primary stability was achieved with all Straumann SLA dental implants of 4.1 mm diameter and 10 or 12 mm length. The implants appeared to be osseointegrated well after a 3-month healing period. Histological investigation showed no signs of inflammation. Cranial from the native alveolar bone, newly formed mineralized tissue was observed. Also, osteoid islands as well as connective tissue were seen around the BCP particles, cranial from the front of newly formed mineralized tissue. Close bone-to-substitute contact was observed. Histomorphometric analysis showed an average bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) of 27.3% [standard deviation (SD) 4.9], bone surface/total volume (BS/TV) 4.5 mm(2)/mm(3) (SD 1.1), trabecula-thickness (TbTh) 132.1 mum (SD 38.4), osteoid-volume/bone volume (OV/BV) 7.5% (SD 4.3), osteoid surface/bone surface (OS/BS) 41.3% (SD 28.5), osteoid thickness (O.Th) 13.3 mum (SD 4.7) and number of osteoclasts/total area (N.Oc/Tar) 4.4 1/mm (SD 5.7). Although a small number of patients were treated, this study provides radiological and histological evidence in humans confirming the suitability of this new BCP for vertical augmentation of the atrophied maxilla by means of a maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure allowing subsequent dental implant placement after a 6-month healing period. The newly formed bone had a trabecular structure and was in intimate contact with the substitute material, outlining the osteoconductive properties of the BCP material. Bone maturation was evident by the presence of lamellar bone.

Bone-added osteotome sinus floor elevation with simultaneous placement of non-submerged sand blasted with large grit and acid etched implants: a 5-year radiographic evaluation

PurposeImplant survival rates using a bone-added osteotome sinus floor elevation (BAOSFE) procedure with simultaneous placement of a non-submerged sand blasted with large grit and acid etched (SLA) implant are well documented at sites where native bone height is less than 5 mm. This study evaluated the clinical results of non-submerged SLA Straumann implants placed at the time of the BAOSFE procedure at sites where native bone height was less than 4 mm. Changes in graft height after the BAOSFE procedure were also assessed using radiographs for 5 years after the implant procedure.MethodsThe BAOSFE procedure was performed on 4 patients with atrophic posterior maxillas with simultaneous placement of 7 non-submerged SLA implants. At least 7 standardized radiographs were obtained from each patient as follows: before surgery, immediately after implant placement, 6 months after surgery, every year for the next 3 years, and after more than 5 years had passed. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at every visit. Radiographic changes in graft height were calculated with respect to the implant's known length and the original sinus height.ResultsAll implants were stable functionally, as well as clinically and radiographically, during the follow-up. Most of the radiographic reduction in the grafted bone height occurred in the first 2 years; reduction after 2 years was slight.ConclusionsThe simultaneous placement of non-submerged SLA implants using the BAOSFE procedure is a feasible treatment option for patients with severe atrophic posterior maxillas. However, the grafted bone height is reduced during the healing period, and patients must be selected with care.

Ultratine Breakage

Both Endotines and Ultratines are made of polymers of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid and are used in brow elevation procedures. Ultratines appear to be much more likely to break during loading and insertion than Endotines. The authors report our experience with these devices and offer suggestions to decrease the likelihood of breakage.

Transcrestal Sinus Floor Elevation With a Minimally Invasive Technique

Recently, we proposed a minimally invasive technique to limit the postoperative morbidity of transcrestal sinus floor elevation procedures. The technique is based on the use of specially designed drills and osteotomes. The purpose of the present study is to present data on the clinical outcomes and postoperative morbidity of sinus floor elevation procedures performed using the proposed technique. Fourteen implants were placed in the posterior portions of the maxilla areas of 11 patients using the proposed technique. Postoperative pain and discomfort were assessed using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). The incidences of intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. The position of the grafted sinus floor with respect to the implant apex was assessed on periapical radiographs 6 months post-surgery. The augmented sites had a presurgery residual bone height of 6.1 mm, whereas the mean length of the implants inserted in augmented sites was 10.3 +/- 0.9 mm. Immediately after surgery, VAS scores for pain and discomfort were 9.4 +/- 13.4 and 17.0 +/- 22.2, respectively. The 7-day VAS score for pain was 2.1 +/- 4.9. No complications were observed during or after the surgical procedure. Six months after surgery, a newly formed mineralized tissue was found at or beyond the level of the implant apex in all cases. The proposed technique represents a suitable option to elevate the sinus floor due to a predictable displacement of the sinus floor and a limited post-operative morbidity.

Maxillary Sinusitis Resulting From Ostium Plugging by Dislodged Bone Graft: Case Report

To report an unusual case of severe maxillary sinusitis resulting from ostial plugging by dislodged bone graft material used for sinus elevation procedure. A 49-year-old female presented to the oral surgery clinic with severe right maxillary sinusitis after a sinus elevation procedure and placement of a dental implant. She had completed an extended course of multiple antibiotics without culture and sensitivity studies or resolution of sinusitis. A CT scan was obtained which showed a dental implant protruding into the right maxillary sinus, sinusitis of the right ethmoid and maxillary sinuses, and dislodged bone graft material obstructing the ostium into the middle nasal meatus. The dental implant was removed, the patient was referred for functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and her sinusitis subsequently rapidly resolved. Surgeons performing this or similar procedures should be aware of the possible complications that can arise from foreign debris introduced into the maxillary sinuses. Also, the avoidance of empirically changing antibiotic regimens and the early use of CT scans should be considered.

Osteotome sinus floor elevation technique without grafting material: 3‐year results of a prospective pilot study

In a prospective pilot study, short< or =10 mm ITI-SLA implants were placed in the resorbed posterior maxilla by means of an osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) procedure without grafting material. This paper presents 3-year data assessing bone-level changes around implants. Twenty-five implants were placed in 17 patients to rehabilitate 16 molar and nine premolar sites. The mean residual bone height (RBH) was 5.4 +/- 2.3 mm. A healing period of 3-4 months was allowed before abutment tightening. Most implants (21/25) were 10 mm long, and the others were 8 and 6 mm long. At the 3-year control, endo-sinus bone gain, implant length protruding into the sinus and crestal bone loss (CBL) were measured on periapical radiographs. All implants fulfilled the survival criteria. Despite the absence of grafting material, implants were embedded into newly formed bone tissue. All implants gained endo-sinus bone; the mean gained bone was 3.1 +/- 1.5 mm. The residual protrusion length decreased from 4.9 +/- 2.1 to 1.8 +/- 2.1 mm. CBL was 0.9 +/- 0.8 mm. This study confirms that the OSFE procedure without grafting material is sufficient to create bone beyond the natural limit of the sinus. On the mid-term of 3 years, the technique was found to be predictable in the posterior maxilla when the RBH is limited. Implants gained endo-sinus bone despite the lack of grafting material. Bone gain was still improving over the first-year control. No shrinkage of the augmented area was observed.