Porcine bone used in sinus augmentation procedures: A 5-year retrospective clinical evaluation

Purpose: Rehabilitation of the edentulous posterior maxilla with dental implants often represents a clinical challenge because of the insufficient bone volume resulting from pneumatization of the maxillary sinus and crestal bone resorption. The aim of this study was a retrospective clinical evaluation of maxillary sinus augmentation using porcine bone. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-one healthy patients with a noncontributory medical history were included in this study. All patients underwent sinus augmentation procedures with porcine bone. After a 4- to 6-month healing period, sandblasted and acid-etched implants were inserted. Results: All grafted sinuses healed without major complications, except for 2 that showed no regeneration at the time of implant placement. A total of 21 implants were lost, 8 after the second-stage surgery and 13 in the 5 years' follow-up after loading. The cumulative survival rate was 92% after a mean loading time of 5 years. Only minor peri-implant marginal bone resorption was found. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, porcine bone can be used with success in sinus augmentation procedures, and rougher-surfaced implants are probably preferable.