Osteotome sinus floor elevation procedure for first molar single-gap implant rehabilitation: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: This case series describes single implant rehabilitation in the maxillary first molar sites. It aims to show the surgical approaches carried out versus the residual bone height (RBH) and to evaluate implant success rate and bone anchorage height after 1 year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Placement of 10-mm-long tapered bone level implants was carried out according to the RBH: when RBH ≥10 mm, standard implant placement; when 6 mm < RBH < 10 mm, osteotome sinus floor elevation procedure (OSFE) without graft; and, when RBH ≤6 mm, OSFE with graft.

RESULTS: Fourteen patients received 15 implants in a mean RBH of 5.0 ± 2.4 mm (range, 2.0-11.0 mm). One implant was placed with a standard placement technique, 4 using OSFE without graft, and 10 using OSFE with graft. The 1-year success rate was 100%, and mean bone anchorage height reached at least 9.5 mm.

CONCLUSIONS: Almost all cases of maxillary single implant rehabilitation might be performed by using OSFE. In the extremely atrophic maxilla, simultaneous grafting ensures implant embedding in bone.