Minimally invasive transcrestal sinus floor elevation: a 10-year cohort study

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Implant Dentistry
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Sinus floor elevation is crucial for dental implant placement in atrophic maxillae.
• Traditional methods can be invasive, necessitating alternative techniques.
• Minimally invasive approaches aim to reduce morbidity and expand treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of the minimally invasive transcrestal sinus floor elevation (MI-TSFE) technique.
• To assess bone gain and implant survival in patients with ≤4 mm residual bone height.
• To compare the efficacy of MI-TSFE with established sinus augmentation procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 55 MI-TSFE procedures (2016-2025).
• Inclusion criteria: residual bone height ≤4 mm, bone width ≥4 mm, no sinus pathosis.
• Outcomes: intraoperative/postoperative height, length, width, implant survival, complications.

Main Results:

• Mean bone gain of 7.5 mm achieved (2.5 mm to 10.1 mm at 17 months follow-up).
• Simultaneous implant placement in 83.6% of cases showed stable postoperative height.
• Complications in 14.5% (graft loss); implant survival rate of 91.3%.

Conclusions:

• MI-TSFE demonstrates favorable clinical performance and significant bone augmentation.
• Achieved bone gains are comparable to lateral sinus lift approaches.
• The technique expands indications for transcrestal sinus floor elevation in severely atrophic maxillae.