Early loading of implants in the atrophic posterior maxilla: lateral sinus lift with autogenous bone and Bio-Oss versus crestal mini sinus lift and 8-mm hydroxyapatite-coated implants. A randomised controlled clinical trial.

Abstract

This study suggests that in atrophic maxillary sinuses with a residual height of 3 to 6 mm, it may not be necessary to perform lateral sinus lifting to place longer implants (10 to 16 mm); 8-mm short implants might be a preferable choice as the treatment appears to be associated with less morbidity. This study also suggests that it is possible to load early (at about 7 weeks) implants placed in lifted sinuses that achieved a sufficient primary stability at placement. These preliminary results must be confirmed by larger trials with follow-ups of 5 years or more to monitor the performance of short implants over time.