Osteotome Sinus Floor Elevation without Grafting: A 10-Year Prospective Study

Little is known about the long-term outcome of implants placed in the atrophic maxilla using osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without grafting.

The study aims to evaluate the long-term efficiency of the procedure and stability of the peri-implant bone formed following implant placement without grafting into resorbed posterior maxilla.

Twenty-five implants (≤10 mm in length) were placed in 17 patients using OSFE without grafting. The mean residual bone height was 5.4 ± 2.3 mm. Bone levels were evaluated at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years using periapical radiographs.

Fifteen patients (23 implants) participated in the 10-year examination. All implants fulfilled the survival criteria. Following surgery, the implant sites gained endo-sinus bone (mean: 3.0 ± 1.4 mm). The mean crestal bone loss (CBL) was limited to 1.0 ± 0.9 mm. The difference in mean endo-sinus bone gain and CBL was statistically significant between 1 and 10 years, but not between 3 and 5, 3 and 10, and 5 and 10 years.

At 10 years, the implant survival rate was 100%. Endo-sinus bone was mainly gained during the first year. This study demonstrates the long-term predictability of OSFE without grafting and simultaneous implant placement.