Modified crestal approach technique for sinus floor elevation. A case with 2 years of follow up

OBJECTIVES Purpose of this study was to evaluate radiographical bone gain and implant stability at 2 years of follow up of in a single edentulous maxillary posterior site treated by means of a staged crestal sinus elevation with modified technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS A male patient with a single posterior edentulous site presenting extremely reduced basal bone height was recruited for the study. Sinus floor elevation was performed with a "future site" technique with crestal approach and 2 different types of grafts. After 6 months of healing, implant was inserted combined with an adjunctive crestal sinus elevation with only collagen. After 4 months fixture was loaded. RESULTS Implant correctly integrated and the radiographical bone gain was 4 mm. Peri-implant bone corticalization proceded during the observation period covering implant's apex. CONCLUSIONS Sinus floor elevation with crestal approach with a modified technique demonstrated to be effective to promote radiographical bone gain and in implant stability.y