Sinus floor elevation via hydraulic detachment and elevation of the Schneiderian membrane

Objectives: Minor sinus floor elevation is a method with relatively high predictability but is technically demanding. Improvement of the technique and increase in the predictability are desirable. Material and methods: A clinical protocol for minor sinus floor elevation with SLA((R))-ITI (R) (large grit acid-etched implants with diameter of 4.8 mm) is described. Using trephine instead of spiral burrs enables the harvesting of autogenous grafts from the implant socket and guarantees a perfect implant socket. The latter is necessary for optimal implant anchoring and for the hydraulic seal between socket and the osteotome. The whole allows a hydraulic detachment of the Schneiderian membrane, where the blood cushion gradually detaches and elevates the membrane, preventing its contact with the graft. Results: Eight patients were successfully treated with the method described above. No membrane perforation occurred and an uneventful healing was observed in all patients. All implants were loaded prosthodontically 3 months after the implantation. Conclusions: The clinical protocol presented provides high predictability in clinical outcome, together with extremely low morbidity and shortened surgery.