Histomorphometric and Tomographic Assessment on the Influence of the Placement of a Collagen Membrane Subjacent the Sinus Mucosa After Maxillary Sinus Floor Augmentation

Material and Methods: After the elevation of the maxillary sinus mucosa, a collagen membrane with standard dimensions will be placed at the test sites subjacent the sinus mucosa and the elevated space will be filled with a xenograft, both test and control groups. A collagen membrane will be placed to cover the antrostomy at both groups and sutures will be provided to close the wound. After six months of healing, mini-implants will be installed. After 9 months, biopsies containing the mini-implants will be harvested for histomorphometric analyses. CBCTs will be taken for all patients before surgery (T0), after 1 week from sinus floor augmentation (T1) and after 9 months of healing (T2). Osseointegration of the mini-implants and dimensional changes over time of soft and hard tissues will be evaluated on the CBCTs.

Inclusion criteria

• presence of an edentulous atrophic zone in the posterior segment of the maxilla
• height of the sinus floor ≤4 mm
• desiring a prosthetic restoration of the zone using a fix prosthesis supported by implants;
• ≥ 21 years of age
• good general health
• no contraindication for oral surgical procedures
• not being pregnant

Exclusion criteria

• present a systemic disordered
• had a chemotherapic or radiotherapeutic treatment
• are smokers >10 cigarettes per day
• have an acute or a chronic sinusitis
• had a previous bone augmentation procedures in the zone of interest.