Translational Tooth Movement Through a Highly Enlarged Maxillary Sinus

Orthodontic gap closure is an important alternative to prosthetic restorations with implants. This tooth movement in the upper jaw can be complicated by a strongly caudaly projecting maxillary sinus with a steeply rising vertical maxillary sinus floor and tooth roots reaching far into the sinus. Case reports 2 and 3 demonstrate a new method to facilitate bodily gap closure through the maxillary sinus with the help of an interdisciplinary surgical approach (sinus lift and bone augmentation). Radiologic and clinical evaluation of these two orthodontic cases showed successfully translational orthodontic tooth movement through an enlarged sinus supported by bone augmentation using a synthetic augmentation material. There were no significant signs of root resorption.