The Effectiveness of Internal Maxillary Sinus Elevation Using Controlled Hydrodynamic or Pneumatic Pressure: An Ex-vivo Experimental and Preliminary Animal Study

Objective The aim of this experimental study was to test the possibility of applying internal sinus elevation techniques using controlled hydrodynamic or pneumatic pressure and evaluate their elevation effectiveness. Materials and methods A device was specially designed for this study and was used to elevate the sinus membrane internally in 12 halves of freshly slaughtered sheep heads. The sample was divided into two groups randomly according to the type of controlled pressure applied (hydrodynamic or pneumatic). The elevation height of the membrane was measured in addition to investigating the presence or absence of perforation. Results The maxillary sinus membranes started to be elevated at an average pressure value of 21.6 ± 7.5 millibars (mbar) when hydrodynamic pressure was applied, and at an average pressure value of 23.3 ± 8.1 mbar when pneumatic pressure was applied. The mean values ​​of elevation height after applying the controlled hydrodynamic and pneumatic pressure were 13.00 ± 2.76 and 10.33 ± 3.88 mm, respectively. No perforations occurred in either of the groups. Conclusions The use of a controlled hydrodynamic or pneumatic pressure, which is appropriate for the characteristics of the maxillary sinus membrane in the process of internal elevation, is effective, and it yielded an amount of lifting similar to that we get when using the external elevation.