Comparative evaluation of dental implants in posterior maxilla placed using unicortical and bicortical anchorage—A split-mouth prospective study

BACKGROUND: The use of dental implants has become a very predictive method of rehabilitation for patients with partial or complete edentulism. It is more challenging to treat the posterior quadrants of the maxillary ridges using dental implants due to their anatomical and physiological characteristics. So to overcome the limitations of other techniques, short implants were introduced recently as a new approach to simplify implant placement in compromised alveolar bone and to prevent possible damage to vital structures. PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of dental implants placed using the osteotomized sinus floor elevation (OSFE) technique side engaging the bony floor of the maxillary sinus (bicortical anchorage) on one side and the conventional technique by split mouth on the other side. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study included 15 patients. Study participants had dental implants placed on both sides of the mouth at the same time, so one side was implanted according to the test method, while the other side used the control method. Randomization determined which side would be implanted. CONCLUSION: The OSFE technique provides greater stability to the implant via bicortical anchorage than conventional techniques, which only provide unicortical anchorage.