Book Review

The Sinus Bone GraftEdited by Ole T. Jensen

Published by Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc, Chicago. 1999; 234 pages

Two decades after Phil Boyne published the first paperabout bone grafting in the maxillary sinus, Ole T.Jensen has edited The Sinus Bone Graft. In t9 chaptersthe 33 authors attempt to answer the how, why, when,and where of sinus grafting. In more than 200 pages with443 illustrations, the authors take us on a journey from"The History of Maxillary Sinus Crafting" to a report froma consensus conference held in 1996. The illustrationsare of very good quality; neither the clinical photos northe dravvings wil l disappoint.

The treatment of the posterior edentulous maxilla is inmany cases a great challenge for the prosthodontist. Theuse of implants n the rehabilitation of the edentulous orpartially edentulous patient was a breakthrough for thediscipline of prosthetic dentistry. However, in some casesthe extension of the maxillary sinus prevents the place-ment of implants. Today, making the posterior area avail-able for implant placement could solve this problem bybone grafting in the sinus cavity. This book is thereforeimportant because it gives a review of this "new" method.

Yes, the book is more a review than a list of recom-mendations of different techniques and grafting materi-als. The reason for this is obvious: scientifically evi-denced data are lacking. This fact is also pointed out sev-eral times in the book.

With so many authors, overlaps are inevitable, but inmost cases they are not d is turb ing to the reader.However, it would have been helpful if all of the chap-ters had had a glossary and a conciusion. In summary,the content is history, indications and contraindications,bone biology, anatomy and physiology of the sinus, treat-ment planning, kinds ot hone and materials for grafting,different techniques, prosthetic management, biome-charics, and complications.

In many of the chapters the information is presentedwith case reports; the presentations would have beeneven better if the cases had been described in moredetail. Some of the chapters are basic, while others offerthe reader a more thorough description, for exampie.Chapter 3, "Vital Biomechanics of Bone-Crafted DentalImplants." Today Ihere are promising reports of 3implants supporting a fixed prosthesis in an edentulousmandible; therefore, it is a little surprising to find adescription of a case in which 9 implants were placed tosupport a fixed prosthesis (and tO in the maxilla) in ahook published in 1999. One shortcoming is that insome cases when the longevity of implants in a graftedsinus region is given, the criteria for implant success orfailure and the follow-up times are not reported.

The last chapter is perhaps the most interesting. Itreports on a consensus conference that was held in 1996.The controlled, prospective clinical studies that wouldallow comparative evaluation of different graft materials,techniques, and an immediate versus delayed approachare still lacking. Available data indicate that sinus bonegrafting with subsequent impiant placement to give sup-port for a prosthesis is a treatment that will become moreand more widespread. However, prospective clinical stud-ies are necessary to provide clinicians with more informa-tion. But, while awaiting this information. The Sinus BoneCraft is recommended reading for the interested dentist.

Reviewed by Profjohan Gunne, Faculty of Odontologyand Medicine, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, UmeaUniversity, Sweden.

Volume 13, Number 6, 1999 553 a I of Proithodontics