Implants placed simultaneously with lateral window sinus augmentation using a putty alloplastic bone substitute for increased primary implant stability: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION:: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the primary stability of implants placed in significantly pneumatized maxillary sinuses with minimum residual bone height. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: Seventeen patients who had been treated with simultaneous implant placement in sites with <5 mm of vertical bone height using a modified direct sinus lift technique were included. Implants placed in adjacent sites with at least 5 mm of bone height were included as quasi-controls. RESULTS:: A total of 30 implants were inserted with a maximum insertion torque number >20 N/cm. Logistic regression analysis failed to show any association between residual bone height and primary implant stability. Implant survival was 96.67% (29/30) during a mean follow-up of 15.74 months postloading. CONCLUSIONS:: The diminished preoperative vertical dimensions of the residual ridges did not seem to negatively influence the osseointegration of implants placed in this study. The prerequisite for simultaneous sinus augmentation and implant placement is an adequate primary stability of the implant and not a fixed minimum bone height level.