The maxillary sinus located above the maxillary posterior is surrounded by schneiderian membrane, and the thickness of this membrane varies from 0.2mm to 35mm. Bone-added osteotome sinus floor elevation (BAOSFE) and/or osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) is a technique to augment the available bone height by lifting this membrane from the alveolar crest of implant site.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the thickness of schneiderian membrane at the site of the implant placement with a maxillary sinus floor elevation overtime.
Patients who had taken cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) more than twice before and after implant placement with a maxillary sinus floor elevation at the Department of Periodontology, Chonnam National University Dental Hospital were selected. A total of 12 patients and 20 sites were included for the study. Changes in schneiderian membrane thickness and any sinus pathology at the implant site were observed using CBCT images.
Among 12 selected patients and 20 implant sites, a decrease in schneiderian membrane thickness was observed in 8 sites and an increase was observed in 9 sites. There were no differences in the other 3 sites. Moreover, one patient showed postoperative mucosal thickening and antrolith in sinus, and the other patient showed postoperative maxillary sinusitis, while the other patient had a mucous retention cyst that disappeared after surgery.
Implant placement with maxillary sinus floor elevation might affect the thickness and the pathology of schneiderian membrane. Thus, it is necessary to follow up the changes of the schneiderian membrane when performing implant placement with maxillary sinus floor elevation.

Changes in the thickness of schneiderian membrane and sinus pathology after implant placement with a transalveolar approach for sinus floor elevation