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To retrospectively determine the profile of the sinus membrane (SM), potential factors affecting SM thickening (SMT), and the correlation between SMT and sinus augmentation (SA) complications.In the patients who received lateral SA, SMT was classified in sagittal sections of cone-beam computed tomography according to its thickness and morphology. The correlation between SMT and the following factors was analyzed: age, sex, endodontic and periodontic statuses of neighboring teeth, and shape of the sinus inferior border. The association between SMT and SA complications was investigated.SMT of ≤2 mm was prevalent (60%). Irregular SM was mostly observed for SMT of2 mm. There was no statistically significant association between SMT and the included factors. SMT did not significantly correlate with either perforation or postoperative complications. There was a statistically significant increase in implant failure when SMT was2 mm, but it was hard to determine that the failure was solely affected by SMT.SMT was not influenced by the factors included in this study, and it might not be a risk factor for SA and implant failure.

A novel autogenous block bone grafting technique with simultaneous placement of dental implants is described for several cases of horizontal ridge augmentation.Seven patients with a mandibular horizontal ridge that was inadequate for proper implant placement were included in this study. Simultaneous implant placement and autogenous block bone grafting was planned; we designed the "L-shaped notch" preparation of the recipient site for the additional fixation with only 1 screw. This new technique also required minimal size of autogenous block bone.In total, 11 implants and final restorations were delivered in 7 patients. The dehiscence defects were covered successfully (79.70 ± 5.58%; 2.26 ± 0.68 mm) at the uncover surgery. The marginal bone loss was 0.50 ± 0.26 mm on the mesial side and 0.58 ± 0.23 mm on the distal side. The outcomes were satisfactory clinically and radiographically during the 1-year follow-up.Although additional studies, with more than 7 patients, are needed to evaluate the L-shaped notch preparation, this was effective to accomplish horizontal ridge augmentation simultaneously with the placement of dental implants using the minimal size of autogenous block bone.