Bone Levels Are Preserved After Simultaneous Sinus Elevation at Time of Implant Placement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to confirm that after simultaneous implant placement and vertical bone augmentation in the posterior maxilla, the immediate postoperative bone height is maintained after 2 to 3 years of follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients treated with implant placement in the posterior maxilla were evaluated. Cone-beam scans were taken preoperatively; immediately after implant placement; and for the sinus-grafted cases, 2 to 3 years after surgery. Crestal bone heights were measured. Patients were grouped according to the use of sinus augmentation or no sinus augmentation at the time of implant placement. RESULTS: The increase in bone height was significant in the graft group when we compared immediate and 3-year follow-up measurements (P < .00001). In the graft group, there were no significant differences in bone height when we compared the immediate and 3-year follow-up periods (P = .31). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous sinus floor elevation with grafting at implant placement results in stable bone levels after 2 to 3 years' follow-up.