[Osteotome sinus floor elevation without bone grafting: a 2-year prospective clinical study]

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Oral Surgery
• Regenerative Dentistry

Background:

• Maxillary sinus floor elevation is crucial for placing dental implants in atrophic posterior maxilla.
• Traditional methods often involve bone grafting, increasing complexity and cost.
• Alternative techniques aim to simplify the procedure while maintaining predictable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without bone grafting for Straumann implants.
• To assess implant survival rates and bone changes around implants with <3mm sinus protrusion.
• To explore new bone formation and stability in these cases.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study included 23 patients with single maxillary molar loss and residual bone height of 5-8 mm.
• Implants were placed with <3mm protrusion into the sinus, followed by a 3-4 month healing period.
• Implant survival, torque resistance, and radiographic bone changes were assessed over 2 years.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 100% implant survival rate after 2 years.
• Implants demonstrated stability, resisting 35 N.cm torque and supporting prostheses.
• Radiographic analysis revealed new bone formation on mesial and distal aspects of implants within the sinus.

Conclusions:

• Sinus membrane elevation alone, without bone grafting, can be a viable alternative to OSFE with bone grafting.
• This technique shows promising results for achieving osseointegration and implant stability.
• Further research can validate these findings and refine the procedure.