Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of hydraulic pressure in transcrestal sinus membrane elevation followed by immediate implant placement without bone graft.
Materials and Methods: A total number of 10 implants were inserted in eight patients selected from the outpatient clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Faculty ofDentistry, Cairo University.Drilling of the alveolar ridge was carried out using a 2.0 pilot drill to a depth of 1 mm away from the sinus floor. Osteotomes were used sequentially to condense and widen the osteotomy site until the desired diameter of the implant is reached. The remaining 1 mm of bone was separated from the floor of the sinus using an osteotome followed by insertion of The ZimmerSinus Lift Balloonto gentlyelevate the sinus membrane.
Results: No post-operative complications were recorded in terms of sinus perforation, infection, nasal bleeding or wound dehiscence during the follow up period.The changes in bone density from immediate postoperative to 6 months postoperative showed a significant increase in bone density in the mesial and distal sides of the implants inserted. All the implants inserted were successfully osseointegrated. The mean time for the surgical procedure was found to be 14.6 ± 1.9 minutes.
Conclusion: Transcrestal balloon sinus lifting is minimally invasive, safe and reliable. It results in reduced postoperative pain and complications when compared to other techniques. No bone graft is necessary to be placed. This technique proved to be a time and money saving procedure.