Radiographic and Histomorphometric Evaluation of Sinus Floor Augmentation Using Biomimetic Octacalcium Phosphate Alloplasts: A Prospective Pilot Study

Abstract

This prospective single-arm clinical study aimed to radiographically and histomorphometrically evaluate the efficacy of the lateral approach for sinus floor elevation (LSFE) using biomimetic octacalcium phosphate (OCP) synthetic bone graft (Bontree®). LSFE using Bontree® was performed on 10 patients (15 implant placement sites) willing to undergo implant surgery, followed by implant placements after 6 months of the healing period. The vertical bone height (VBH) and Hounsfield unit (HU) values at each implant placement site were evaluated radiographically using cone-beam computed tomography at baseline immediately after surgery (T1) and 6 months after surgery (T2). A histomorphometric evaluation of the bone core biopsy specimen was also performed. The mean VBH and HU changes at all sites included a decrease by 0.91 mm and a statistically significant increase by 431.86, respectively, from T1 to T2. The mean ratio of the newly formed bone (23.34% ± 10.63%) was greater than that of the residual bone graft (19.09% ± 8.74%), indicating that Bontree® is effective for new bone formation. This pilot study suggests that Bontree® is a promising bone substitute for LSFE.