BACKGROUND: In sinus augmentation procedure, the assessment of volume changes of grafted materials is important both in the clinical practice and in dental research to evaluate the features of filling materials. PURPOSE: In this study, we assessed the repeatability of a new method proposed to evaluate volumetric changes following sinus lift augmentation procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 patients, maxillary sinus augmentation procedure with simultaneous implant placement was performed. Maxillary cone beam computer tomographies were taken 1 week after surgery (T1) and 6 months after surgery (T2). At each evaluation the gap inside the implant between the fixture and the bottom of the screw was used as reference point (Rp), and a standardized volume of interest (VOI) centered on the Rp was selected. Masks were chosen to select the graft and bone tissue within the VOI; the volume at T1, T2, and the difference of volume between T1 and T2 were computed. Expert and non-expert operators performed the analysis. Method errors were computed. RESULTS: The error of the method was 1% for both intra-operator and inter-operator measurements. Tissue contraction at T2 was 19 ± 4% of the total initial volume. CONCLUSIONS: The standardization of the method allows to obtain repeatable measurements.
BACKGROUND: In sinus augmentation procedure, the assessment of volume changes of grafted materials is important both in the clinical practice and in dental research to evaluate the features of filling materials. PURPOSE: In this study, we assessed the repeatability of a new method proposed to evaluate volumetric changes following sinus lift augmentation procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 patients, maxillary sinus augmentation procedure with simultaneous implant placement was performed. Maxillary cone beam computer tomographies were taken 1 week after surgery (T1) and 6 months after surgery (T2). At each evaluation the gap inside the implant between the fixture and the bottom of the screw was used as reference point (Rp), and a standardized volume of interest (VOI) centered on the Rp was selected. Masks were chosen to select the graft and bone tissue within the VOI; the volume at T1, T2, and the difference of volume between T1 and T2 were computed. Expert and non-expert operators performed the analysis. Method errors were computed. RESULTS: The error of the method was 1% for both intra-operator and inter-operator measurements. Tissue contraction at T2 was 19 ± 4% of the total initial volume. CONCLUSIONS: The standardization of the method allows to obtain repeatable measurements.