Journal of Research in Dental

Background and aim: The most common method of increasing implant stability in the posterior maxilla comprises the reinforcement of bone height using bone grafts in sinus lift surgery. The purpose of the present study was to compare autogenous and allogeneic bone grafts in implant stability after open sinus lift surgery.
Materials and methods: This split-mouth clinical trial compared the implant stability in 10 patients who needed bilateral open sinus lifts, including 8 men and 2 women. Each side of each patient's jaw was assigned to either case or control groups. Open sinus lift was performed on both sides of the jaw: autogenous bone graft was used on the side considered as the control, while allogeneic bone graft was used on the side assigned to the case group. After four months, the implant stability was evaluated and recorded in each group using the Periotest® system.
Results: The mean value related to implant stability was -2.78±2.31 in the control group and -3.19±2.51 in the case group. The values below zero (negative values) indicate an acceptable stability. According to Mann-U-Whitney test, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05); however, the intragroup analysis using Wilcoxon test showed statistically significant results with regard to implant stability in each group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results, autogenous and allogeneic bone grafts have similar effects on implant stability after open sinus lift surgery, and both bone grafts provide a suitable implant durability.
 

Background and Aim: Considering the efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in enhancement of healing by releasing growth factors, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of PRF application as a protective barrier right beneath the sinus membrane on the Schneiderian membrane thickness following sinus floor augmentation.   Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled split-mouth clinical trial was conducted on 18 patients (36 sinuses) who required bilateral sinus floor augmentation. Two patients (n=4 sinuses) were excluded due to chronic sinusitis, and one patient due to perioperative sinus membrane perforation. Fifteen patients (n=30 sinuses) were finally assessed. In the test side, PRF membrane was placed beneath the Schneiderian membrane while augmentation was performed without a PRF membrane in the control side. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were taken preoperatively, and at 1 week and 2 months postoperatively, and the Schneiderian membrane thickness was compared at the two sides using ANOVA and a post-hoc test. Results: The mean membrane thickness was 1.85±0.85 mm in the control and 2.17±0.87 mm in the test group before the intervention (P=0.6). At 1 week, the mean thickness was 2.45±1.22 in the control and 3.77±1.42 mm in the case group (P=0.2). At 2 months, the mean thickness was 2.54±1.66 mm in the control and 1.71±1.31 mm in the test group (P=0.2). ANOVA showed no significant difference between the two groups at any time point (P>0.05). Conclusion: Application of PRF under the Schneiderian membrane in sinus floor augmentation had no significant effect on the Schneiderian membrane thickness.

Background and Aim: The posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) is a branch of the maxillary artery. This study compared the anatomical position of the PSAA in the maxillary sinus between edentulous and dentate patients using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study evaluated 280 maxillary sinus CBCT scans of edentulous and dentate patients. Visibility, vertical diameter, location and type of artery, horizontal distance from the PSAA to the sinus internal wall, distance from the artery to the sinus floor, distance from the artery to the alveolar crest, and distance from the alveolar crest to the sinus floor were studied on coronal sections using SIDEXIS 3D software. Data were analyzed by the Chi-square, Spearman rank correlation coefficient, and independent t tests. 
Results: The artery type was mainly type I, with no difference between males and females or edentulous and dentate patients (P>0.05). PSAA was primarily located in the second molar area in dentate patients. The horizontal distance from the PSAA to the sinus internal wall, PSAA vertical diameter, distance from the alveolar crest to the sinus floor, and distance from PSAA to the maxillary sinus floor were not different in different age groups (P>0.05). Vertical diameter of PSAA and distance from PSAA to the maxillary sinus floor were not different between edentulous and dentate groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The distance from the PSAA to the sinus internal wall and to the alveolar crest, and the distance from the alveolar crest to the sinus floor were smaller in edentulous patients.

Background and Aim: The silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is indeed a rare clinical condition. The exact cause of SSS is still unknown, but it is believed to result from chronic negative pressure within the maxillary sinus, leading to progressive inward retraction of the sinus walls and subsequent orbital floor remodeling.
Case Presentation: This case report describes a 61-year-old male with slight facial asymmetry and nasal septum deviation with a normal range of vision. According to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings, the right maxillary sinus appeared hypoplastic and opaque and the right orbit had 4.58 mm displacement compared to the left orbit.
Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis of the SSS requires assessing clinical and radiographic findings. Rhinologists and, to a lesser extent, ophthalmologists and dentomaxillofacial radiologists are skilled at diagnosing SSS through CBCT imaging of the paranasal sinuses. However, general radiologists are not often well aware of this syndrome. Increasing awareness among general radiologists is vital for prompt identification and appropriate care.