Longitudinal response of membrane thickness and ostium patency following sinus floor elevation: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of sinus floor elevation (SFE) on sinus physiology, including Schneiderian membrane thickness (MT) and ostium patency, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on pre-established selection criteria, 53 patients in combination with 53 sinuses were referred for SFE with a lateral approach using deproteinized bone mineral. CBCT was performed prior to, immediately after surgery and before staged implant placement. The Schneiderian MT of the elevated region, ostium patency, and other clinical data was evaluated. RESULTS: The two-stage sinus augmentation technique was applied in 33 males and 20 females. Four membrane perforations were observed during the surgical procedure. The Schneiderian membrane exhibited significant swelling immediately after augmentation (P < 0.0001), but this difference disappeared after a mean healing period of 7.51 months. The corresponding changes were also observed for ostium patency with a tendency of transient obstruction after surgery. Sinuses with flat mucosal thickening or pseudocysts did not present a liability of perforation compared to the normal cases, and the augmentation procedure was not likely to deteriorate the pathology of mucosal thickening or pseudocysts. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that SFE with a lateral approach has no significant influence on MT and ostium patency after the healing period except for postoperative transient swelling and obstruction. Thickened membranes and antral pseudocysts in a small size might not be contraindications to SFE from the standpoint of the surgical impact on the Schneiderian membrane.