Tomographic Assessment on the Influence of the Use of a Collagen Membrane on Dimensional Variations to Protect the Antrostomy After Maxillary Sinus Floor Augmentation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dimensional variations after elevation of the maxillary sinus floor and the healing of the antrostomy left unprotected or protected by a collagen membrane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients were included in the study. After the elevation of the sinus mucosa, natural bovine bone was grafted into the elevated space. In 10 randomly selected patients, a native collagen membrane made of porcine corium was placed on the antrostomy (membrane group). In the other 10 patients, the antrostomy was left uncovered (no-membrane group). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were taken for all patients before surgery (T0), 1 week after sinus floor augmentation (T1), and after 9 months of healing (T2), and evaluations of dimensional variations over time of soft and hard tissues were performed. RESULTS: At T1, the elevation of the sinus floor in the middle aspect was 12.5 +/- 3.8 mm and 11.9 +/- 3.6 mm in the membrane and no-membrane groups, respectively. At T2, the reduction in height of the elevated space was 0.6 +/- 0.9 mm and 0.8 +/- 0.8 mm in the membrane and no-membrane groups, respectively. The elevated area decreased between ~10% and 11% in the membrane group and between ~15% to 20% in the no-membrane group. However, no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: The use of a collagen membrane to cover the antrostomy after sinus floor elevation did not produce significant clinical effects on dimensional variations over time.