Secondarily stabilized dental implants: an alternative to sinus grafting--early clinical results of 63 consecutively placed implants.

PURPOSE: A standard dental implant modified with an apical cross-screw was studied clinically in the posterior maxilla in a trial of 63 sinus-penetrating implants.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Twenty-five patients who had cross-screw implants placed in the atrophic posterior maxilla were followed for up to 3 years.

RESULTS

Of 63 implants placed, 5 implants failed over a 4-year study period for a 92.1% success rate. Despite the implant body penetrating into the sinus cavity, no long-term complication resulted.

CONCLUSION

Threaded dental implants that were stabilized secondarily with a cross-screw maintained stability and did not disturb sinus cavity health over a 3-year period.