Lateral Wall Regeneration and Membrane Repair After Attempted Sinus Augmentation Using a Non-Resorbable Membrane

Abstract

Abstract: Insufficient bone height for dental implant placement is often encountered in the posterior maxilla. Its main causes are postextraction alveolar ridge resorption and increased maxillary sinus size due to the prolonged absence of teeth.

Different procedures to increase the bone volume available for implant placement have been described. Among them, sinus elevation using a lateral window is well documented and predictable.3–5 Despite the procedure’s generally high success rate, intraoperative complications may occur. A frequently encountered problem is tearing of the Schneiderian membrane, which can often be resolved, enabling successful treatment completion, with the placement of an internal resorbable membrane.6–9 When this is not possible, surgical closure and later re-attempting of the procedure may be advisable. Surgical flap closure without a membrane may result in insufficient bony repair of the lateral wall. The use of barrier membranes for guided bone regeneration may achieve bony repair of the defect.10

This report describes a case in which d-polytetrafluoroethylene (dPTFE) membrane use resulted in complete repair of the buccal wall and Schneiderian membrane.