Histomorphometric evaluation of graftings in maxillary sinus lifting

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to histomorphometrically evaluate bone grafted areas in maxillary sinus lifting. Methods: It was proceeded in five adult patients presenting wide and pneumatized maxillary sinuses. As an inclusion criteria, the patient should either present areas with (experimental samples) and without (control samples) indication for bone grafting for implantodontic purposes. Every grafting was carried out by mixing autogenous (50%, extracted from the ascendant mandibular ramus) and xenogenous bovine bone (50%). After six months, implants were installed. At this moment, it was removed bone fragments from the grafted and control areas by means of 2mm trephination procedure. Samples were fixed in 10% formalin solution, decalcified in EDTA, and glycol methacrylate embedded. Histological sections (2µm width) were stained in toluidin blue and studied by means of optical light microscopy. Results: In both groups, trabecular bone was observed to surround small cavities with medullar tissue. The software HLImage was employed to quantify the bone matrix. A statistically significant difference was observed between the grafted and non-grafted tissue, with more bone matrix formed in the latter (p < 0.05; paired Student t-test). Conclusions: Results obtained suggest less bone matrix development in grafted areas for maxillary sinus lifting when compared with the natural bone.