Horizontal and vertical reconstruction of the severely resorbed maxillary jaw using subantral augmentation and a novel tenting technique with bone from the lateral buccal wall.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of using the lateral wall bone in sinus lifting two-dimensional reconstruction on bone augmentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients affected by class V or VI maxillary atrophy with less than 3 mm of residual horizontal ridge were selected. Using a piezo-ultrasonic surgery tip bony lateral wall was cut. To expose native bone to the bone graft, multiple perforations, made through the cortical plate of the recipient site with a round bur. Once the bony buccal wall was adjusted it was fixed away from the ridge with two 1.5 x 13 mm bone fixation screws. Deficiencies created between the bony buccal wall and the ridge was filled with a mineralized cortical bone. A pericardium membrane was then placed on the graft. A biopsy for histologic evaluation was made. RESULTS: The data analysis in bone volume changes reported significant differences between the anterior and posterior locations before and after grafting (p < 0.05). The biopsy shows mature cancellous bone with predominantly lamellar structure. CONCLUSION: The use of the lateral wall bone in sinus lift surgery showed significant increase in bone volume.