We evaluated the bone augmenting capacity of bioactive glass particles, size range 300-355 microns (BG-particles), in human sinus floor elevations using histomorphometrical methods. A total of 10 patients underwent bilateral grafting, using a 1:1 mixture of autogenous bone particles (from iliac crest) and BG-particles at one side (experimental side), and bone particles only at the other side (control side, split mouth design). A total of 72 bone biopsies were taken at the time of fixture installation; that is, 3 patients at 4 months, 3 at 5 months and 3 at 6 months after grafting and 1 patient at 16 months (when she presented again). In each case 6 biopsies were taken, 3 left and 3 right. Histomorphometry showed that in grafts at control sides, trabecular bone was present after 4 months, comprising almost 41% of the tissue volume. This bone contained viable osteocytes and was of mature lamellar type and showed a mature histological appearance. Bone volume continued to increase slightly, to 42% at 5 months, 44% at 6 months and 45% at 16 months. The graft volume at experimental sides consisted at 4 months for 28% of woven and some lamellar bone, and increased to 35% at 5 months and 38% at 6 months, when mainly lamellar bone was found. At 16 months a lamellar bone volume of 45% was found. The BG-particles transformed and became excavated with time, starting at 4 months, and their centers gradually filled with bone tissue. All BG-particles had disappeared by resorption at 16 months after grafting and had been replaced by bone tissue. Parameters of bone turnover (% osteoid surface, % resorption surface, mineral apposition rate as measured by tetracycline labeling) indicated that bone remodeling was very active at both sides, during more than 6 months, despite the mature histological appearance of the bone tissue. From these histological observations, we conclude that a 1:1 mixture of autogenous bone/BG-particles seems a promising alternative to autogenous bone only, when low amounts of bone tissue are available for sinus augmentation.

For reconstruction of the severely resorbed lateral maxilla for dental implant placement, one of the successful procedures is to elevate the maxillary sinus floor by implanting demineralized bone matrix (DBM). We studied bone formation in DBM grafts in the lateral maxilla in humans by means of histology and histomorphometry. Six months after grafting, at the time of dental implantation biopsies were taken from the grafted areas of seven patients. All biopsies contained mineralized matrix (MM) in the grafted area. At close inspection, three types of mineralization were found. First, lamellar biomineralization was seen in and near the maxillary host bone. Second, remineralization was observed in some particles that probably had not been completely demineralized. In the area connecting the graft and host bone, where woven bone was formed against DBM particles, a third mechanism was detected. In this case many dotlike foci of remineralization appeared close to the bone-DBM interface. The remineralized DBM and woven bone were both subsequently remodeled. Bone formation was most active in the area adjoining the maxillary host bone. We conclude that in human sinus floor elevation, allogenic DBM increases mineralized tissue volume by osteoconduction that is supported by the remineralization processes. Osteoinduction by this material seems questionable.

Bone morphogenetic proteins have proven to be effective bone inductors in animals and are therefore promising as inductors of bone formation in humans. In the present study we investigated the tissue formed after grafting osteogenic protein 1 on a collagen carrier (OP-1-device) in the human sinus floor elevation procedure. Three patients were grafted with OP-1 device. For comparison 3 groups of 3 patients were included in the study receiving respectively, autogenous bone, human freeze-dried demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or no graft. This last group had a sufficient alveolar bone height for dental implantation. Six months after grafting, at the time of implantation, biopsies were taken from the grafted area and/or the future dental positions. Undecalcified sections were used for histological and histomorphometrical analysis. All grafted sinuses showed an increased osteoid percentage when compared to non-grafted sinuses. Autogenous bone grafts all showed lamellar bone formation. In the DBM grafts mostly woven bone had been formed, predominantly by what appeared to be osteo-conduction. The OP-1 device gave rise to bone formation in 2 of the 3 patients. After 6 months implants could only be placed in 1 out of the 3 patients treated with OP-1 device. This patient showed mature lamellar bone formation, comparable to autogenous bone grafts. In the second patient all bone found was woven and the presence of a high osteoid percentage and large osteocyte lacunae indicated that this was recently-formed bone. Remnants of the collagen carrier were rare and new bone was never found against them, suggesting that this bone was formed by osteo-induction. In the third patient no new bone had been formed. The device had been encapsulated with fibrous tissue and inflammatory reaction was present. We conclude that in the human sinus floor elevation OP-1 has potential bone inductive capacity, but that results in the 3 patients tested with the current OP-1 device are inconsistent.