Objectives: To compare the amount of newly formed bone after sinus floor augmentation with two different particle sizes of bovine bone mineral (BBM) using clinical, micro-computerized tomography (CT) and histological techniques.
Methods: Bilateral sinus floor augmentations were performed in 10 patients. Six to 9 months later, bone samples were retrieved and analyzed.
Results: Results: Both groups were not different in vertical bone height achieved after augmentation, post-operative complications and maximal torque for the insertion of implants. Micro-CT measurements could not detect a statistically significant difference in bone volume between the groups (with a tendency for new more bone in the small granules group). Histomorphometric analysis revealed that both granule sizes produced the same pattern of bone formation, surrounding the graft granules, and producing a shape of a network, "bridging" between the BBM particles. Multi-nucleated giant cells, probably osteoclasts, were observed directly on the BBM particle surface in both groups. The osteoclast-like cells preferred the small-size BBM particles and not the large particles both in the small-size and the large-size granules group.
Conclusion: Both sizes of BBM granules preformed equally and achieved the aim of the sinus floor augmentation procedure clinically and histologically.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.