title: Lateral approach for sinus floor elevation: large versus small bone window - a split-mouth randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test whether a reduction of bone window dimension, in a split-mouth randomized study design, focused on lateral sinus floor elevations, can achieve better results than a wider window in terms of augmented bone height and a reduction of patient discomfort and surgical complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the sixteen subjects enrolled in the study, each underwent a bilateral sinus lift procedure based on two different access flaps to maxillary sinus. Test side: small access window (6 × 6 mm) + bone filling using a special device. Control side: large access window (10 × 8 mm) + manual bone filling. Alveolar bone height and width were measured at pre-op and 6-month post-op CT scans; repeatable measurements were obtained using radiographic stents. Surgical intervention duration was also recorded. Patients' evaluation of surgical discomfort was assessed using a VAS diagram at 7-day, 14-day and 30-day follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant bone augmentation in height and width of alveolar crest was obtained in both test (8.71 ± 1.11 mm, 4.70 ± 0.58 mm) and control (8.5 ± 2.02 mm, 4.68 ± 0.70 mm) sides, although no significant differences were found between the two groups. Neither any significant differences emerge in data concerning the duration of the intervention (Test 42.62 ± 6.67 min, Control 41.68 ± 8.34 min). Patients' opinion relating to surgical discomfort showed a preference for test procedure at 7-day, 14-day and 30-day follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reduction of window dimensions did not affect the safety of the surgical procedure. The two testing techniques showed no statistically significant differences in surgical intervention duration. Patients' opinion at 7-day and 14-day post-op showed a preference for test procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Fixed Prosthodontics, Tuscan School of Dental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Fixed Prosthodontics, Tuscan School of Dental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Elia
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Fixed Prosthodontics, Tuscan School of Dental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Fixed Prosthodontics, Tuscan School of Dental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goracci
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Università Vita e Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Sanctis
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Fixed Prosthodontics, Tuscan School of Dental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D059546:Sinus Floor Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes
keywords: CT Imaging; bone substitutes; clinical research; clinical trials; sinus floor elevations