Implant placement in the posterior maxilla is not an easy procedure, not only due to the low quality of bone, but also the physiological pneumatization, which decreases the remaining bone height to the maxillary sinus. Sinus lifting is an alternative for implant placement in these cases. The aim of this study was to radiographically compare the effect of Densah densifying burs versus osteotome in transcrestal sinus lifting. Twelve patients with missing premolars or molars and limited residual bone height were enrolled in the study and divided equally (by coin toss) into two groups: group A underwent densifying bur sinus lifting and group B underwent osteotome sinus lifting. Follow-up was performed over 6 months. Bone density (measured around the implant and at the implant apex) and bone height gain (measured using three reference points across the implant length) were measured using OnDemand 3D software. Bone density around the implant was found to be significantly higher for the densifying burs (P = 0.010); however, no significant difference in bone height gain (P = 0.985) or apical bone density (P = 0.337) was detected between the two groups. Densifying burs significantly improved bone density around dental implants, but did not prove to provide a significantly higher bone height gain or apical density compared to osteotomes in graftless internal sinus lifting. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical trial.gov registration ID #NCT04688957.
Keywords: Alveolar bone loss; Bone density; Dental implant; Maxillary sinus; Tooth extraction.
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