A Pilot Investigation Generating an Alternative Therapeutic Strategy Combining Deproteinized Bovine Bone and Gelatin Sponge for a Novel Implant Material in Sinus Floor Elevation Operation

BACKGROUND: Implant placement in the posterior maxilla is typically complicated by a shortage of bone. Gelatin sponge could be combined with an appropriate material to enhance mechanical strength and maintain stability of an implant. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical application of bone grafting with bovine bone mixed with gelatin sponge. MATERIAL/METHODS: Fifty-four patients were divided into a control group (deproteinized bovine bone, n=26) and a test group (deproteinized bovine bone combined with gelatin sponge, n=28). Implants were placed in patients simultaneously after surgery (operation). Cone-beam computed tomography examination was carried out immediately and 6 months after surgery. Space with grafting materials was measured with Mimics software (version 16.0). RESULTS: No remarkable differences were found for simultaneous placement, height of residual bone, delayed placement, width of residual bone, graft volume immediately after surgery (V(1)), graft volume 6 months after surgery (V(2)), or volumetric change rate between the test group and the control group (P>0.05). Graft volume V(2) was remarkably decreased compared with V(1) in the control and test groups (P=0.01). There were no significant differences for bone height immediately after surgery (H(1)) and bone height at 6 months after surgery (H(2)) between the 2 groups. Bone height H(2) was markedly decreased compared with H(1) (P<0.05). At 1 year after implantation, there was 1 implant loss in the control group and 2 in the test group. The implant survival rate in the control group was 97.62% and 95.24% in the test group. CONCLUSIONS: Absorbable gelatin sponge combined with bovine bone particles was an effective and economical material for use in routine sinus floor elevation surgery.