Reliability of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Determining Mineralized Tissue in Augmented Sinuses

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) densitometries of maxillary sinuses augmented with human bone allograft. In addition, previously obtained microradiographic specimens were used to verify the diagnostic potential of CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-stage protocol was conducted in 21 consecutive patients, all with a crestal bone height < 2 mm. Mineralized human bone allograft particles were used to augment sinuses using a lateral window approach. A succession of CBCT scans of the maxilla were taken before surgery, immediately after sinus augmentation, and 6, 10, and 18 months after implant placement. Using virtual probes, CBCT images taken at 6, 8, and 10 mm from the crestal surface were processed with medical imaging software and expressed as gray level (GL). RESULTS: A total of 24 sinus augmentation procedures were performed in 21 patients. The average values of CBCT-GL ranged from 571 to 654, presenting the maximum value at 8 mm immediately after implant placement and the minimum value at 6 mm after 10 months. Furthermore, it was found that the graft mineral content decreased over time, completely disappearing between 10 and 11 months. CONCLUSION: CBCT and the medical imaging software employed for imaging visualization are reliable tools to study biomaterial behavior after sinus augmentation procedures. In addition, results from this study demonstrate that a complete resorption of human bone allograft is possible. Due to the limited sample size, further clinical and morphometric studies are needed.