The Effect of Different Window-preparation Approaches on the Clinical Outcomes of Lateral Sinus Floor Elevation

The Clinical Outcomes of Lateral Sinus Floor Elevation With Different Window Preparation Approaches: a Retrospective Study

This study retrospectively evaluated the effect of two different lateral window preparation techniques on peri-implant bone augmentation for patients who underwent lateral sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement using two-dimensional and three-dimensional radiographic results, with special emphasis placed on the stability of the graft material after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age ≥18 years;
• one or more maxillary posterior teeth were missing, and the healing time was more than 3 months;
• complete basic information and detailed operation records;
• available CBCT images before surgery, immediately after surgery, and 6 months after surgery;
• RBH ≤6 mm shown by CBCT at T0 at the site of the missing tooth；
• no systematic diseases and no untreated periapical disease or periodontal disease before surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• (1) maxillary lesions have not been properly treated；
• present or past medication of bisphosphonates;
• pregnancy or lactation;
• present or past radiotherapy of head and neck cancer within 5 years;
• acute and chronic inflammation in the maxillary sinus;
• in need of additional vertical or horizontal bone augmentation besides LSFE with endo-sinus graft materials;
• heavy smoker (>20 cigarettes/day at the time of surgery).