Minimally invasive sinus floor elevation procedures for simultaneous and staged implant placement

Osteotome techniques are used as a less invasive alternative to the lateral window osteotomy to increase the volume of bone in the posterior maxilla. Implants may be placed simultaneously for four to six months after performing osteotome-mediated sinus floor elevation, depending upon the residual crestal bone remaining beneath the sinus floor. This article describes the clinical indications and techniques for localized internal sinus elevation using osteotomes. The incorporation of this minimally invasive crestal approach to sinus augmentation into the clinical practice results in increased case acceptance with reduced treatment duration, trauma and cost.