HISTOLOGIC EVALUATION OF SINUS ELEVATION PROCEDURE - A CLINICAL REPORT

A histologic assay of the grafting material associated with the sinus elevation procedure would provide insight info the qualify and quantit y of vital bone at the implant-bone interface. This case report docume nted for the first time the sequential healing process of a sinus graf t in the same patient at 4, 8, 12, and 20 months. Histology of trephin e-obtained core samples showed that in a sinus grafted with a mixture of xenograft (80%) and autograft (20%), 12 to 20 months was required f or remodeling to vital bone. The study also demonstrated that a signif icant amount of vital, mature bone was generated by this procedure. Qu antification of the resulting bone and comparison with other grafting techniques should be the next phase of continuing research efforts.