RESUMO
PURPOSE: In the present paper the use of tapered-screw bone expanders (TSBEs) is proposed, in combination with the placement of tilted implants, in close proximity to the anterior sinus wall, solving the problem of the reduced height of the alveolar bone in the sub-antral area. The Authors present a case series of full-arch rehabilitations performed with this procedure named: Tilted Implant Expansion Osteotomy (TIEO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 patients (5 males and 7 females, average age 58.5 ± 8.1 years) with totally or partially edentulous maxilla were enrolled in this study. For each patient 4 implants were placed, the anterior implants in the area of lateral incisors or canines while, the posterior implants, immediately in front of the maxillary sinus, with an inclined position. Adopting the aforesaid procedure, 48 cylindrical two-piece implants were placed, 24 of which were placed in tilted position, in order to by-pass the maxillary sinus. After a healing period of 6 months, the second stage surgery was performed. The cases were finalized by means of a hybrid metal-acrylic prosthesis. The post finalization follow-up was at 12 months. RESULTS: Survival rate was 100% since none fixtures were lost. At the one-year follow up the clinical and radiological appearance of the soft and hard tissues was optimal and no pathological signs were recorded. CONCLUSION: TIEO is a promising surgical procedure for full-arch rehabilitation of maxillary edentulous sites and represents a therapeutic alternative to sinus lift techniques.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: In the context of the transcrestal maxillary sinus lift a wide variety of biomaterials have been used to fill the subantral space over the years. In this study, two types of biomaterials were used in order to fill the maxillary sinus: a nano-crystallized hydroxyapatite in an aqueous solution and a micronized heterologous bone in a collagen matrix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surgical procedures were designed and carried out using computer-guided surgery. The filling volume obtained was measured with a comparative software program. RESULTS: A ≥ 6 millimeter augmentation of osseous volume was obtained. This result is comparable to those obtained in lifts where conventional techniques were applied. The technique used was very precise and the difference between the projected and clinical outcome of the implant position had an average of less than 0.3 millimeters. CONCLUSIONS: This technique allows for the surgery to be performed in a way which is both minimally traumatic and invasive, and represents a viable alternative to those surgical techniques for crestal sinus lift currently in use.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: In this article the Authors describe a procedure aimed to restore under endoscopic control, the continuity, of the Schneiderian membrane (SM) incidentally teared during a sinus lift with transcrestal approach. MATERIALS E METHODS: In a 44-year-old male, due to aforementioned complication, the SM was gently detached via transcrestal approach, with a customized small ball burnisher, in order to facilitate the placement of a collagen sponge, to close the communication with the sinus, followed by the subsequent insertion of a graft material. All the procedure was endoscopically controlled and, considering the successful grafted area elevation, was simultaneously followed by implant placement. After 6 months the second stage was performed always under endoscopic control. RESULTS: The endoscopic view of the grafted area showed a dome-shaped elevation sited on the top of the implant, the SM was apparently normal with no signs of inflammation, the antrum was empty and normally functioning. Periapical X-rays were performed: immediately after the surgery; at both 14 days and 6 months post-operative; at 6 months post prosthetic finalization. The volume of the grafted area progressively decreased over the time while its radiopacity, on the contrary, gradually increased, as expected after graft integration and remodelling. The implant was submitted to no functional load for 4 months by means of a temporary screwable acrylic crown inserted on a peek abutment and then finalized with a cementable metal-ceramic crown on a preformed titanium abutment. CONCLUSION: The Authors recommend the use of endoscope to repair the SM incidentally teared during transcrestal sinus lift.