Effects of a collagen membrane positioned between augmentation material and the sinus mucosa in the elevation of the maxillary sinus floor. An experimental study in sheep

Objective To assess the influence of a collagen membrane placed subjacent to a pristine sinus mucosa on the healing outcome of a sinus floor elevation procedure. Materials and Methods Eight Pelibuey sheep (Cubano rojo) underwent sinus floor elevation on both sides of the maxilla. At a randomly selected side (test), a collagen membrane was placed subjacent to the sinus mucosa, while the contralateral side (control) was left without the placement of a membrane. Deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) was used to fill the space created. A collagen membrane was placed bilaterally to cover the access osteotomy. After 4 months, biopsies were harvested and ground sections prepared. Morphometric analysis was performed in four different regions, three within the elevated area and one at the site of the osteotomy. Results The total percentages of mineralized new bone within the elevated area were 29.4 ± 16.2% and 30.9 ± 9.2% and of marrow spaces 44.0 ± 23.0% and 45.6 ± 14.1%, at the Non‐membrane and at the Membrane sites, respectively. A low content of connective tissue within the elevated area was noticed. A higher content of connective tissue was found in the osteotomy region, however. Remnants of DBBM granules were found at a percentage of 17–19%. No statistically significant differences were observed between test and control sites. Conclusion The application of a collagen membrane subjacent to the Schneiderian mucosa in a sinus floor elevation procedure did not influence the healing outcomes at all.