A graftless maxillary sinus lifting approach with simultaneous dental implant placement: a prospective clinical study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to introduce a graftless sinus lifting approach with simultaneous dental implant placement in the alveolus of the posterior maxilla and compare this approach's outcomes in freshly extracted sockets versus healed sockets.

Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted on 60 patients aged between 27 and 59 years old, requiring dental implants in the posterior maxilla, and diagnosed with reduced vertical bone height (30 with freshly extracted sockets (group A) and the remaining 30 with healed sockets (group B). Before the sinus lifting approach, a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken, followed by another CBCT at least one-year post-sinus lifting (range: 12-36 months). Biological and mechanical complications were assessed, and the primary implant stability was measured using the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ). Parametric data were analyzed using an independent t-test for intergroup comparisons, with significance set at P < 0.05.

Results: No significant differences were found among groups concerning gender, placement side, and follow-up. All dental implants demonstrated high survival rates with no observed biological or mechanical complications. Moreover, the primary implant stability was satisfactory, and there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.38). In terms of new intrasinus bone formation, both groups exhibited satisfactory and successful outcomes, with increased new bone formation in group A. However, there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.26). Regarding the vertical sinus floor elevation without new bone formation, group B showed (0.11 ± 0.64) mm of intrasinus implant height without bone formation, while group A showed an increment of bone formation above the intrasinus implant (0.22 ± 0.33) mm, with no statistically significant difference between both groups (P = 0.30).

Conclusion: Our approach proves to be predictable, low-cost, and efficient option for sinus lift procedures, demonstrating high survival rates with acceptable primary implant stability. Moreover, it yields satisfactory outcomes in terms of new intrasinus bone formation, both in freshly extracted and healed sockets. Consequently, our approach holds promise as a reliable procedure for sinus lifting with simultaneous dental implant placement.

Keywords: Dental implants; Graftless minimally invasive surgery; Maxillary sinus lifting; Residual alveolar bone; Simultaneous implantation; Sinus floor elevation.