Lateral window sinus lift: will bone grow over membrane?

Assuming you put a bone graft of adequate height and of accepted composition in the lateral sinus opening before you put the membrane over the window, there should be no problem with growing bone. Should take 7-9 months. For years this was the method used, and often the bone that was in the inner circle of the sinus lift was either left on the membrane or if it popped off, we never worried about it. So as long as there was no sinus membrane tear, you bone grafted adequately, you closed adequately, you should be fine.

In my short experience doing sinus graft using lateral window technique, I've created the window removing the bone using carbide round bur or DASK kit and the bone always grows in about 7-9 months to close the window unless there is an infection. The most important thing to worry about is a schneiderian tear. That piece of bone might tear your membrane while packing the bone into the sinus otherwise, if you don't see any sign of torn membrane at post op radiographic evaluation, then you will be fine.

I regularly carry out my lateral sinus window leaving the bone attached to the lining and then turning it into the sinus as I raise the lining- almost like a 'roof' to the sinus lift. The resulting window is covered with a double collagen membrane after the graft has been placed in the sinus cavity. I always get primary closure. I have never had any issues in close to 15 years of doing the above. Provided you didn't damage the Schneiderian membrane, covered the window entirely with a suitable membrane and achieved primary closure, you'll be fine. PS: Obviously, patient can't blow their nose for a while!

Post op cone beam or Ct scan is only way to be sure. Most likely a osseo- fibrous tissue develops depending on the age and health of the patient. Frankly I don't really worry about it, usually heals just fine, predictable. You have a very vascular thick flap covering the bony window, with a healthy sinus it heals.

Yes always heals closed that is biology ........... when using osteo-inductive synthetics with no membrane to slow the host healing , I see that the window is closed at 8 weeks .... Regards Peter