Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of buccal fat pad with sandwich graft versus buccal fat pad with bone block graft in closure of oroantral communication.
Subjects and methods: Patients of the present study were selected from those attending the outpatient clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Department at Faculty of Dental Medicine, Al Azhar University (Assiut Branch). Fourteen patients with oroantral communications were divided in two groups: (group I) treated with sandwich graft covered by buccal fat pad, and (group II) treated by bone block covered by buccal fat pad.
Results: Closure of oroantral communication was successful in both groups. No patient had any infection, graft exposure and /or loss, soft tissue dehiscence. Radiographic analysis revealed significant increase in bone density fo both groups, (from 693.5 ± 28.61 immediately postoperative to 805.2 ± 28.06 after 9 months) for G (I) And (from 590.0 ± 30.24 immediately postoperative To 683.3 ± 16.59 after 9 months) for G (II). Also, there was significant decrease in bone height in bone height in both groups at 6 and 9 months.
Conclusion: Closure of OAC with buccal fat pad and bone graft not only gives excellent soft tissue healing, but also compensate the underlying bone defect.