RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone healing in patients undergoing bilateral sinus lifting and simultaneous dental implant application. METHODS: Twelve patients with total/partial posterior maxillary edentulism who needed bilateral sinus bone augmentation were included in the study. Dental implants were inserted in the same session. LLLT (λ = 630-660 nm, 25 mW/cm2, 6 min) was used for one operation side on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days, whereas contralateral side served as control side. Preoperative and postoperative 1st, 3rd, and 6th month orthopantomograms were obtained using the aluminum step-wedge technique. Optic density analyses were performed using a Cardinal Health Digital Densitometer (Fluke Biomedical 07-443) with 1 mm diameter. Digital densitometry results were obtained as the equivalent aluminum thickness for each radiograph. These data were used to evaluate the changes in optical bone density and to compare the treatment side with the control side for each patient. RESULTS: The LLLT side showed better results than the control side according to the densitometry results. Increase in the bone density at all the postoperative intervals was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LLLT enhances bone regeneration in sinus augmentation with simultaneous dental implant placement.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Maxillary sinus septas are barriers of cortical bone that arise from the floor or from the walls of sinus and may even divide the sinus into two or more cavities. Morphologically maxillary sinus septa are generally oriented in buccopalatinal orientation horizontal or sagittal orientation of the sinus septa is a rare condition. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This report presents two sinus lift case, in which observed septa in a horizontal orientation was presented. Both cases were fixed by an implant supported prosthethic restoration. DISCUSSION: Surgeons must know detailed knowledge about maxillary sinus anatomy for successful sinus augmentation. Computed tomography (CT) is useful for examining the maxillary sinus. CONCLUSION: Horizontal-type sinus septa are rarely seen. Surgeons must be aware of septa types and orientations.