Long-term stability of autologous bone graft of intraoral origin after lateral sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement

Background Lateral approach to maxillary sinus floor elevation (LSFE) with autologous bone grafts and simultaneous implant insertion is a widespread technique for prosthetic rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla. Purpose To analyze implant survival and autologous bone graft resorption after LSFE, in patients with at least 5 years follow-up. Materials and methods Thirty-three patients (mean age 56 years, range 46-68 years) who had undergone LSFE with intraoral autologous bone graft from mandibular ramus and simultaneous implant insertion were included. A minimum of 5 years of follow-up was required. The total peri-implant bone height was measured at mesial and distal aspects of the implants immediately after surgery (T0) and after a period ranging from 5 to 11.5 years after surgery (mean 7.65 ± 1.80 years) (T1) on digital panoramic and periapical radiographs. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was used to compare bone graft height at T0 and T1. The influence of patient-, surgery-, and implant-related factors on the outcomes was investigated. Results Of the 58 implants placed, no one was lost. All prostheses were in function, and no biological or mechanical complications occurred. The residual ridge height at the involved sites averaged 6.48 ± 1.72 mm. The mean bone height at grafted regions was 12.05 ± 2.47 mm at T0 and 12.13 ± 2.39 mm at T1 (not statistically significant). Marginal bone level change at T1 averaged -1.22 ± 1.60 mm. None of the evaluated factors significantly affected the results. Conclusion Autologous bone grafts from intraoral donor sites display excellent volume stability over time that may contribute to optimal outcomes of the procedure.