Local Sinus Lift for Single-Tooth Implant. I. Clinical and Radiographic Follow-Up

BACKGROUND: For single-tooth implant replacement in the posterior maxilla, it is often necessary to do an augmentation of the alveolar process because of post-extraction resorption and include part of the maxillary sinus. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to present a technique for a local sinus lift with autogenous bone in a one-stage procedure. Additionally, volume changes of the grafted area were evaluated radiographically up to 2 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients, 12 female and 8 males, were included in the study. Single-tooth replacement was made in the second premolar area in 7 cases and in the molar area in 13 cases. Local sinus lift and implant installation were made simultaneously. Abutment connection was made after 6 months of healing. RESULTS: Two years of clinical and radiographic follow-ups have been made in all patients. The survival rate was 100%. The residual bone volume in the actual area was 2-5 mm preoperatively, after sinus lifting in mean 13 mm, after 1 year in mean 11.4 mm, and 2 years postoperatively in mean 10.6 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Local sinus lift with simultaneous bone augmentation and single-tooth replacement in the posterior maxilla is a predictable method although a certain bone volume reduction around the implant was evident at the 2-year follow-up.