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Background: This study aims to evaluate the technique of sinus bone reformation, which consists of elevating the
sinus membrane and placement the implant without bone graft, compared with the widely-used technique involving
raising the maxillary sinus and grafting, using animal hydroxyapatite as the filler, while simultaneously fixing
the implants.
Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study on two groups of patients who underwent elevation of the sinus
membrane and simultaneous placement of the implant. The grafting technique was applied to one group, while
the other had no graft. An alveolar ridge height of 4 to 7 mm was necessary. Radiological control was undertaken
at 6 months and one year post-prosthetic loading. In each group 38 implants were placed.
Results: No significant behavioural differences were observed in the implants according to the Albrektsson success
criteria. Implant failure was observed in 2 implants from the bone grafting group (success rate 93%) and in
1 implant from the reformation group (success rate 97%). In this group, bone formation was observed on both
sides of each implant, the bone gain was measured using image management software (2.7±0.9mm mesial and
2.6±0.9mm distal). There was no correlation between mesial and distal bone gain and implant´s length.
Conclusions: The results indicate that bone reformation is a valid technique in cases involving atrophy of the posterior
maxilla. Primary stability, maintenance of space by the implant, and the formation of a blood clot are crucial in
this technique in order to achieve bone formation around the implant. It is an alternative to the conventional technique
of sinus lift with filling material, and has several advantages over this procedure, including a lower infection
risk, as it does not involve a biomaterial, reduced cost, a simpler technique, and better acceptance by the patient
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