Using Absorbable Gelatin Sponge to Facilitate Sinus Membrane Elevation during Open Sinus Lift: Technical Notes and Case Series

Abstract

Ridge atrophy accompanied by the pneumatization of maxillary sinus in the maxillary posterior region may lead to inadequate bone height, thereby precluding implant placement. Therefore, it may be mandatory to perform a sinus membrane elevation procedure and augmentation in the bone. The present study aimed to introduce a novel modification method for sinus floor elevation using a gelatin sponge (Gelatamp, COLTENE ROEKO, India) in order for better visualization, hemostasis, and conservative maxillary sinus membrane dissection with the low risk of complications. Implant placement was performed in a case series of 28 patients with hyperpneumatized sinus or a moderately resorbed posterior maxillary alveolus. According to the findings, implant placement caused no complications in the patients. Furthermore, none of the patients experienced infections, sinusitis or graft and implant failure clinically and radiographically at the three- and six-month follow-up. Therefore, it could be concluded that gelatamp-assisted sinus lift is a simple, safe, noninvasive, and innovative technique for sinus membrane elevation. In addition, it is predictable and efficient, especially in the cases where piezoelectric surgery armamentarium is not available.