Patient-specific estimation of the bone graft volume needed for maxillary sinus floor elevation: a radiographic study using cone-beam computed tomography.

Objective: To develop prediction models for estimating the bone-graft volume needed for sinus floor elevation (SFE) based on the augmentation site, elevation height, and sinus width using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials And Methods: CBCT scans with a medium-to-large field-of-view with bilateral maxillary sinuses partially/entirely visible, acquired from February 2016 to October 2020, were initially screened. Ten defined regions, above the maxillary first (MM) and second molar (MM) sites, in the sinuses of the included CBCTs were semi-automatically segmented, and the volumes of the regions were automatically measured using the ITK-SNAP program. The sinus widths at the height ranging between 8 and 16 mm from the sinus floor were measured at the MM to MM sites, respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to establish prediction models for estimating the bone graft volume needed for SFE at the MM and/or MM sites with the sinus width and elevation height as predictors.

Results: A total of 133 scans (224 sinuses) were included. Three developed prediction models, composed of the sinus width and elevation height, explained 89-91% of the variation in the bone graft volumes estimated for SFE at the MM, MM, and MM-MM sites. The mean absolute deviations and absolute percentage deviations between the measured and predicted volumes ranged from 0.12 to 0.28cm and from 9.78 to 10.62%, respectively.

Conclusion: The proposed prediction models may enable more patient-specific estimation of the bone graft volume needed for SFE.

Clinical Relevance: The proposed prediction models could facilitate the preparation of an adequate amount of bone graft material and patient-clinician communication about the cost of bone graft material.