Long-Term Bone Height Changes After Sinus Floor Elevation With Maxillary or Mandibular Bone Grafts: A Radiological Study

Background: This retrospective study aimed to assess the impact of maxillary and mandibular autogenous bone grafts on maxillary bone height in patients who underwent maxillary sinus floor elevation (MSFE). Methods: The study involved 92 patients, divided into two groups: 37 patients receiving maxillary bone grafts for MSFE and 55 patients receiving mandibular bone grafts for MSFE. Bone height after MSFE was measured on panoramic radiographs up to 60 months postoperatively, comparing different positions and situations. Results: In general, both maxillary and mandibular bone grafts resulted in an increase in bone height directly after the MSFE procedure, followed by a bone height loss over time, with no significant differences between the two groups for gap and free-end positions. However, at distal to implant positions, mandibular bone grafts showed less bone loss. Despite gradual bone height loss, all implants remained covered with bone without exposure or subsequent loss, indicating a successful MSFE procedure. Conclusion: This radiologic study showed that over a long-term period there is a similar bone height pattern at dental implant sites and sites distal to implants when maxillary or mandibular bone grafts are used in MSFE.