Sinus membrane elevation in combination with placement of blasted implants: a 3-year case report of sinus augmentation without grafting material

Owing to the increasing use of dental implants to restore edentulous conditions, clinicians often face situations where available bone volumes are reduced and need to be augmented before implant placement. This is common in the posterior maxilla, where the presence of the maxillary sinus combined with severe atrophy of the bone crest, owing to long-standing edentulism or pathological conditions, might preclude implant placement. Techniques to augment the sinus floor in combination with several grafting materials are commonly used to restore adequate volumes for implantation. Recent studies have described bone reformation and integration of oxidized implants by simple elevation of the sinus membrane without any grafting material. The aim of this case report is to document the application of the sinus membrane elevation technique in combination with the placement of 3 blasted microthreaded implants in a patient who was clinically and radiographically followed up for 3 years. During the follow-up period, the blasted implants were all stable and intraoral radiographs showed that the bone reformed in contact with the implants and remained stable. © 2008 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.