Histopathological morphometric evaluation of 2 different hydroxyapatite-bone derivatives in sinus augmentation procedures: A comparative study in humans

Background: Xenografts to augment the maxillary sinus have been used extens ively. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, qualitatively and quan titatively, two different HA derivatives of natural and synthetic sources o n newly formed bone in the augmented sinus. Methods: A bilateral sinus augmentation procedure with simultaneous (16 out of 20 sites) or subsequent implant placement was performed in 10 patients. The antrum was randomly filled with a deproteinized, bovine hydroxyapatite mineral (B-HA) on one side and a non-ceramic resorbable hydroxyapatite (NC -HA) on the other. Cylindrical specimens were harvested from the augmented core at 12 months. Decalcified specimens were sectioned at a cross-horizont al plane and stained with hernatoxylin and eosin for histopathologic and hi stomorphometric examinations. Tissue area fractions of bone, marrow, and th e grafted particles were calculated for each specimen from the lateral to t he deep region, and changes in values were compared within each material an d between them. Results: New bone formation was evident. B-HA and NC-HA particles were obse rved in all specimens surrounded by newly formed bone in direct connection or by soft tissue marrow. Morphometrically in the B-HA sites, from the late ral to deeper area, bone area fraction increased from 29.8% to 54.2% (avera ge 42.1 %) and marrow area fraction decreased from 37.9% to 26.7% (average 33.3%). The mineral area fraction decreased from 32.3% to 19.1% (average 24 .7%). All increasing/decreasing patterns were statistically significant (P <0.001). In the NC-HA sites, from the lateral to deeper area, bone area fra ction increased from 25% to 36.5% (average 32.3%) and marrow area fraction decreased from 51.6% to 41.9% (average 43.2%) (P <0.001). The mineral area fraction decreased from 29% to 21.7% (average 24.6%) (P = 0.038). Compariso n between the two HA derivative groups showed a significant difference betw een the bone area fraction averages (P= 0.0053) and between the increasing patterns along the core depth (P= 0.0006). There was also a significant dif ference between the decreasing marrow patterns (P= 0.003), but not between their averages. Comparison between the mineral area fractions showed no dif ferences. Conclusions: B-HA and NC-HA were proven to be biocompatible materials. Alth ough the B-HA-augmented sites showed a higher percentage of bone formation at 12 months, both are suitable bone derivatives in sinus augmentation proc edures and can accommodate osseointegrated implants.