Evaluation of the frequency of hard tissue augmentation material usage in dental implant surgery based on different specialties

Abstract

Aim:This study aimed to investigate the preference profiles of periodontists and oral, dental and maxillofacial (ODM) surgeons regarding graft and membrane biomaterials used in sinus augmentation and horizontal/vertical augmentation procedures. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 180 specialists in ODM Surgery (n = 90) and Periodontology (n = 90) who were employed in state institutions or the private sector between February 2021 and August 2021. The surveys collected demographic data and information on various factors, including specialty, years of experience as a specialist, the number of implants placed in the past year, the proportion of patients requiring hard tissue augmentation, and the types of biomaterials and barrier membranes used in sinus and horizontal/vertical augmentation procedures. Results: Periodontists reported more frequent use of autogenous and combined grafts in sinus augmentation proce- dures, whereas ODM surgeons tended to use these materials occasionally (p < 0.05). Xenografts were widely used by both groups, with no significant difference in sinus augmentation. In horizontal augmentation, periodontists favored resorbable collagen membranes, while ODM surgeons more often used non-resorbable barriers. In vertical augmen- tation, both specialties commonly employed combined grafts and non-resorbable membranes, but periodontists showed a higher preference for xenograft-based combinations. Conclusion: This study highlights that xenografts and resorbable membranes are the most widely used materials in clinical practice, with preference patterns differing based on the clinician's specialty