Bone Levels Are Preserved After Simultaneous Sinus Elevation at Time of Implant Placement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to confirm that after simultaneous implant placement and vertical bone augmentation in the posterior maxilla, the immediate postoperative bone height is maintained after 2 to 3 years of follow-up.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Consecutive patients treated with implant placement in the posterior maxilla were evaluated. Cone-beam scans were taken preoperatively; immediately after implant placement; and for the sinus-grafted cases, 2 to 3 years after surgery. Crestal bone heights were measured. Patients were grouped according to the use of sinus augmentation or no sinus augmentation at the time of implant placement.

RESULTS

The increase in bone height was significant in the graft group when we compared immediate and 3-year follow-up measurements (P < .00001). In the graft group, there were no significant differences in bone height when we compared the immediate and 3-year follow-up periods (P = .31).

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous sinus floor elevation with grafting at implant placement results in stable bone levels after 2 to 3 years' follow-up.