Book Review

The Sinus Bone Graft

Edited by Ole T. Jensen
Published by Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc, Chicago. 1999; 234 pages

wo decades after Phil Boyne published the first paper

about bone grafting in the maxillary sinus, Ole T.
Jensen has edited The Sinus Bone Graft. In t 9 chapters
the 33 authors attempt to answer the how, why, when,
and where of sinus grafting. In more than 200 pages with
443 illustrations, the authors take us on a journey from
"The History of Maxillary Sinus Crafting" to a report from
a consensus conference held in 1996. The illustrations
are of very good quality; neither the clinical photos nor
the dravvings will disappoint.
The treatment of the posterior edentulous maxilla is in
many cases a great challenge for the prosthodontist. The
use of implants n the rehabilitation of the edentulous or
partially edentulous patient was a breakthrough for the
discipline of prosthetic dentistry. However, in some cases
the extension of the maxillary sinus prevents the placement of implants. Today, making the posterior area available for implant placement could solve this problem by
bone grafting in the sinus cavity. This book is therefore
important because it gives a review of this "new" method.
Yes, the book is more a review than a list of recommendations of different techniques and grafting materials. The reason for this is obvious: scientifically evidenced data are lacking. This fact is also pointed out several times in the book.
With so many authors, overlaps are inevitable, but in
most cases they are not d i s t u r b i n g to the reader.
However, it would have been helpful if all of the chapters had had a glossary and a conciusion. In summary,
the content is history, indications and contraindications,
bone biology, anatomy and physiology of the sinus, treatment planning, kinds ot hone and materials for grafting,
different techniques, prosthetic management, biomecharics, and complications.

Volume 13, Number 6, 1999

In many of the chapters the information is presented

with case reports; the presentations would have been
even better if the cases had been described in more
detail. Some of the chapters are basic, while others offer
the reader a more thorough description, for exampie.
Chapter 3, "Vital Biomechanics of Bone-Crafted Dental
Implants." Today Ihere are promising reports of 3
implants supporting a fixed prosthesis in an edentulous
mandible; therefore, it is a little surprising to find a
description of a case in which 9 implants were placed to
support a fixed prosthesis (and tO in the maxilla) in a
hook published in 1999. One shortcoming is that in
some cases when the longevity of implants in a grafted
sinus region is given, the criteria for implant success or
failure and the follow-up times are not reported.
The last chapter is perhaps the most interesting. It
reports on a consensus conference that was held in 1996.
The controlled, prospective clinical studies that would
allow comparative evaluation of different graft materials,
techniques, and an immediate versus delayed approach
are still lacking. Available data indicate that sinus bone
grafting with subsequent impiant placement to give support for a prosthesis is a treatment that will become more
and more widespread. However, prospective clinical studies are necessary to provide clinicians with more information. But, while awaiting this information. The Sinus Bone
Craft is recommended reading for the interested dentist.

Reviewed by Profjohan Gunne, Faculty of Odontology

and Medicine, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Umea
University, Sweden.

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a I of Proithodontics