Antral membrane elevation using a post graft: a crestal approach.

The crestal approach to elevating the antral membrane by a resorbable StemVie post is a modification of the sinus lift technique. This technique can add 4-10 mm of bone height for severely atrophic ridges in areas that are difficult to access through a lateral window. The procedure is minimally invasive, simple, and predictable, and has less postoperative morbidity due to smaller flap design and minimal osteotomy. If sufficient alveolar bone is present for stabilization, an implant can be placed simultaneously with an antral elevation and graft. The StemVie post resorbs completely and is replaced by the patient's own bone. Healing is enhanced with the addition of bone marrow aspirate and/or peripheral venous blood to the StemVie post graft. The graft will absorb the blood or the marrow, allowing them to infiltrate through the porosity present in the graft. Bone marrow aspirate aids in healing with the addition of precursor osteoblastic stem cells, cytokines, and growth factors, while peripheral blood supplies mostly cytokines and growth factors.