Maxillary bone defect reconstruction using porous polyethylene implants.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone repair process in the maxillary sinus in monkeys treated with high-density porous polyethylene (Medpor) METHODS Four capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) were submitted to bilateral horizontal osteotomies in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus and divided into 2 groups: control group, left side with no implants, and porous polyethylene group, right side with Medpor. After a period of 145 days after implant placement, the maxillae were removed for histologic and histometric analyses. RESULTS Bone repair in osteotomized areas took place by connective tissue in 58.5% and 58.7% in the control group and the porous polyethylene group, respectively. In the contact surface with Medpor, bone repair occurred in 41.3%. CONCLUSIONS Medpor was not reabsorbed within the period of this study and allowed bone repair surrounding it. The porous polyethylene constitutes a feasible alternative for bone defect reconstruction.