Long-term changes in graft height after maxillary sinus floor elevation with different grafting materials: radiographic evaluation with a minimum follow-up of 4.5 years

OBJECTIVE: To compare the vertical dimensional changes with regard to graft height in a long-term follow-up in patients treated with two different grafting materials used in maxillary sinus floor elevation procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients were included. One group was grafted with autogenous bone from the mandible (chin area), and the other group was augmented with a 100% beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). During a 4- to 5-year period, in each patient, at least five panoramic radiographs were made. These panoramic radiographs were used for morphometric measurements, at three different locations. The three locations were the first bone to implant contact at the distal side of the second most posterior implant (L1), halfway between this implant and the most posterior implant (L2) and the site 5 mm distal to the most posterior implant (L3). The measured vertical bone heights were evaluated to assess whether there was loss of height and, if so, whether the reduction in graft height occurred in an initial healing period or whether it was an ongoing process during the whole study period. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant reduction of vertical bone height in time at all locations (P