A retrospective analysis of the resorption rate of deproteinized bovine bone as maxillary sinus graft material on cone beam computed tomography

Objectives Graft resorption remains a major disadvantage of the various employed materials in maxillary sinus augmentation. Our aim was to assess the percentage of graft volume reduction in deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of 29 augmented sinuses in 19 patients was conducted. The graft material was either DBB alone or DBB mixed with autologous bone chips (80% DBB/20% bone chips). CBCT scans of the augmented sinuses were obtained pre- and post-operatively up to 2-year follow-up. Results In total, 55 dental implants were placed in the posterior maxillary region following sinus augmentation. The mean height of the alveolar ridge pre-operative was 2.7 ± 1.2 mm and post-operative was 14.13 ± 4.6 mm. The mean percentages of alveolar ridge height reduction were 18.58% (SD14.23%) and 27.62% (SD12.70%), and the mean percentages of graft volume reduction were 19.30% (SD9.19%) and 19.85% (SD9.61%) for DBB and DBB + bone chips, respectively. Conclusions The results indicate that DBB graft volume resorption is approximately (20 ± 10%) following 2-year follow-up. CBCT is a useful radiographic tool to follow-up changes in sinus graft volumes.