Sinus lift augmentation using autologous pulp stem cells: case report of bone density evaluation

Bone augmentation to reconstruct atrophic jaws provides the base for sufficient functional and aesthetic implant-supported oral rehabilitation. Although autografts are the standard procedure for bone grafting, the use of bone regeneration by means of dental pulp stem cell is an alternative that open a new era in this field. In March 2010, at the Department of Oral Surgery, Don Orione Hospital, Bergamo, Italy, one patient undergo to sinus lift elevation with pulp stem cells gentle poured onto collagen sponge. A CT scan control was performed after 4 month and DICOM data were processed with medical imaging software which gives the possibility to use a virtual probe to extract the bone density. Pearson's chi-square test was used to investigate difference in bone density (i.e. BD) between native and newly formed bone. BD in newly formed bone is about the double of native bone. This report demonstrated that stem cells derived from dental pulp poured onto collagen sponge is a useful method for bone regeneration in atrophic maxilla