Five Years Follow-up of Short Implants Placed in Atrophic Maxilla with Simultaneous Sinus Floor Transcrestal Elevation

OBJECTIVE: Many authors have tried to face the anatomical limitations resulting from maxillary bone atrophy. Up to five millimeters bone height, the lateral sinus floor elevation is the most commonly used and validated strategy to achieve the prosthetic rehabilitation. However, the disadvantages of this technique are its invasiveness and delayed rehabilitation. The aim of this paper was to assess 5 years clinical outcome of implants placed with a technique that allows the percrestal sinus floor elevation and the immediate implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 transcrestal sinus floor elevations with immediate implant placement were performed in severely atrophic maxillae. Implant survival, marginal bone level variation, harvested bone height variation and periodontal indices were assessed. RESULTS: After a five year follow up none of the thirty implants were lost. The mean value of vertical harvested bone loss was 5%. The mean crestal bone loss was -0.33 mm (Standard Deviation (SD) 0.11 mm). The mean value of periodontal indices was respectively: PD 1.22 mm (SD 0.72 mm), PI 17.47% (SD 15.01 mm), BOP 9, 87%.,(SD 19.17 mm). CONCLUSION: The results obtained are comparable with success criteria in implant rehabilitation. The reported technique proved to be successful in the population observed, with minimal trauma and reduced invasiveness.