OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical results of osteotome sinus floor elevation technique in the posterior maxillary region.

METHODSA total of 122 patients underwent osteotome sinus floor elevation from July 1998 to July 2004. Forty-eight cases were male and 74 were female. The mean age was 46.5 years (between 20 and 69). A total of 157 implants were placed and restored. The mean follow-up time was 29.7 months (between 14 and 84 months). Clinical examination and radiographs were conducted. All the patients with 8 - 11 mm height of residual bone in the posterior maxilla underwent sinus floor elevation and implant placement using osteotome without any bone grafts simultaneously. The elevation height was 2 - 5 mm. Healing abutments were connected at the same time of implant placement with insertion torque over 0.25 N.m and the final prostheses were restored after 3 - 4 months. Implants were submerged if the insertion torque was less than 0.25 N.m. Second-stage operation was conducted 3 - 4 months later and the implants were restored afterwards.

RESULTSSinus membrane perforation was observed in 12 cases, no sinus complication was observed during the follow-up. All of the 157 implants gained osteointegration and were restored. No implant lost was observed during the follow-up. All the patients were satisfied with the final prostheses.

CONCLUSIONSOsteotome sinus floor elevation without any bone graft was a predictable and safe technique. It could be used in the maxillary posterior area implant placement with residual bone volume of 8 - 11 mm.