New Bone Formation in the Maxillary Sinus Using Peripheral Venous Blood Alone

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of bone formation under a sinus membrane tented with implants and filled with venous blood as a graft material.Materials and MethodsFourteen patients (17 sinus augmentations) were consecutively treated with sinus floor elevation via the lateral window approach. The lateral bony window was created using a piezoelectric saw, and the sinus membrane was elevated to make a new compartment. After resorbable blast media–surfaced dental implants were placed simultaneously, the collected peripheral venous blood was applied to support the sinus membrane over the implant apex, and the bony portion of the lateral window was repositioned to seal the lateral window. In 6 cases, samples were taken for biopsy at the time of second stage surgery.ResultsAn average of 6.8 months after the sinus augmentation, new bone consolidation in the maxillary sinus was observed by radiographic and histologic evaluation. Vital bone formation was 38.70% according to the histomorphometric data. Of the 31 implants placed, 2 failed. The overall implant survival rate was 93.5%. All failures occurred when implants were placed into the extraction socket and were associated with poor initial stability.ConclusionThis study suggests that simultaneous placement of dental implants and injection of peripheral venous blood as a graft material appears to be a safe alternative procedure for maxillary sinus augmentation.