Localized sinus elevation and osteocompression with single-stage tapered dental implants: technical note.

In the atrophic posterior maxilla, placement of longer (at least 10 mm) and wider diameter implants may significantly improve long-term results, but sinus grafting is often necessary to provide sufficient bone volume for implant support. The crestal approach to sinus augmentation requires penetration of the sinus floor with surgical instruments that are often difficult to control; there is a high risk of damaging the schneiderian membrane. Fabricating a round cutting rim at the apical end of a single-stage tapered implant can provide a controlled method of gently penetrating the sinus floor prior to grafting and placement of the definitive implant. In soft type 4 bone, the single-stage tapered implant design can help to enhance initial stabilization through lateral osteocondensation of the receptor site. Localized sinus elevation with osteocompression utilizing single-stage tapered implants may offer a simplified approach to the complex clinical challenge of successfully restoring the atrophic posterior maxilla.