Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Real-Time Dynamic Navigation System for the Precise Quad-Zygomatic Implant Placement in a Patient with a Severely Atrophic Maxilla
Published on: October 18, 2021
Tilted trans-sinus implants for the treatment of maxillary atrophy: case series of 35 consecutive patients
Tiziano Testori1, Federico Mandelli, Mario Mantovani
1Section of Implantology and Oral Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical, Surgical, and Dental Sciences, Dental Clinic, IRCCS Galeazzi Institute, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. info@tiziano-testori.it
Purpose:
To evaluate tilted trans-sinus implants for rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla.
Materials And Methods:
A case series of 35 patients (32 consecutive edentulous and 3 partially edentulous patients) treated with trans-sinus dental implants is presented. Edentulous patients received 4 or 6 implants depending on anatomic conditions and a 12-unit final restoration; partially edentulous patients received 2 implants supporting a 3-unit partial fixed bridge.
Results:
Thirty-five patients (14 men, 21 women) underwent rehabilitation. Thirty-two patients with 190 implants placed received a full-arch fixed prosthesis supported by axial and trans-sinus tilted implants. Three patients each received 2 implants with a 3-unit fixed restoration. The mean age at surgery was 59.2 ± 9.5 years. The cumulative survival rate was calculated only for the full-arch fixed prosthesis group and was 98.42%. Crestal bone loss averaged 0.9 ± 0.4 and 0.8 ± 0.5 mm for the axial and tilted implants, respectively, at the 12-month evaluation. Biological complications at the implant level were 1 case of peri-implantitis and 3 cases of mucositis; no patient developed sinus infections. The prosthetic complications encountered were screw loosening in 17.5% of cases and chipping of the esthetic part in 30% of cases. These complications were easily resolved chairside and did not lead to prosthetic failure.
Conclusions:
Trans-sinus tilted implants and sinus membrane distal displacement appear to be a viable minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of maxillary atrophy.
