[Clinical study of sinus elevation by water balloon and implant placement].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical results and technique of minimally invasive sinus membrane water balloon elevation followed by bone augmentation and implant placement simultaneously.

METHODS

From May 2006 to November 2007, 31 patients (male: 16, female: 15; mean age: 41.2 +/- 11.8) were involved in the study. Clinical examination and radiographs were conducted.

RESULTS

The mean residual ridge height was (4.79 +/- 1.18) mm and the mean elevated height was (10.60 +/- 2.06) mm. A total of 31 implants were placed and restored with the mean follow-up period of (14.2 +/- 3.6) months. Only minor complications were observed postoperatively. One implant was lost due to infection two weeks after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The procedure of minimally invasive sinus membrane water balloon elevation achieves an excellent success rate, low complication, minimal discomfort, and the short-term result is predictable.