Performance of coralline hydroxyapatite in sinus floor augmentation: a retrospective study.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to retrospectively explore the utilization of coralline hydroxyapatite in maxillary sinus augmentation.

Method: One hundred and eighteen cases of sinus lift with coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA) were included in this study. In detail, simultaneous implantation was conducted in 78 patients (174 implants) and delayed implantation was done in 40 cases (82 implants) around 6 months after bone transplantation. The clinical features and X-ray radiographs after operation were analyzed to evaluate osseointegration procedures according to a planned medical follow-up. In the delayed group, around 6 months, a bone biopsy was taken just during implant placement in order to evaluate the new formed bone from a histological and histomorphometrical point of view. A further 6 months later, abutment connection was performed, and the patients received prosthetic restoration of the missing teeth.

Result: Clinically, the incisions healed well. No abnormal reactions were found during follow-up period. All the 174 simultaneous implants were successful after 1-5 years of medical review; Out of 82 delayed implants, 3 were found to be loose. Histologically, all the specimens showed signs of active remodeling, and all the tissues had a large amount of osteocyte at sixth month after sinus augmentation. New bone formed dramatically. Radiologically, the density of CHA gradually reduced since the beginning of the third month, and CHA may be completely resolved at about fifth year.

Conclusion: CHA is proven an ideal bone graft material for its reliable clinical results and favorable histocompatibility in the treatment of sinus atrophy or other kinds of insufficient bone volume in this region. Moreover, CHA's signal application can achieve desired clinical effect.

Clinical Relevance: This study shows the clinic application of CHA in maxillary sinus augmentation. Compared with popular mixture of autogenous bone and grafting materials, our results show CHA's signal application can achieve ideal osseointegration interface and satisfying clinic effect.