Spontaneous bone formation in the maxillary sinus after removal of a cyst: coincidence or consequence?
BACKGROUND
Maxillary sinus floor-augmentation techniques are frequently used to increase the bone volume in the posterior edentulous maxilla to enable placement and integration of titanium implants.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report is to document an unexpected healing pattern after maxillary sinus surgery and to discuss the implications for future bone-augmentation techniques.


METHODS
In a patient referred for sinus augmentation, an intrasinus mucosal cyst was removed 3 months prior to the planned augmentation procedure. A replaceable bone window was prepared in the lateral aspect of the sinus wall. The cyst was removed, the ruptured mucosa was sutured, and the bone window was replaced, resulting in a secluded space in the sinus.


RESULTS
After 3 months of healing, the space between the replaced bony window and the lifted sinus membrane was filled with newly formed bone. The surgical technique was repeated in a second patient and resulted in a similar bone reformation pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical trauma and the creation of a secluded space between the bone surfaces and the sinus mucosa result in spontaneous bone formation in the maxillary sinus. The surgical approach described may be used to achieve bone reformation to enable placement of dental implants without the addition of any grafting material.
Lundgren
Stefan
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. stefan.lundgren@odont.umu.se
Andersson
Sten
S
Sennerby
Lars
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003560:Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D010027:Osteotomy; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D015921:Dental Implants