Osteotome Sinus Floor Elevation Without Grafting: A 10-Year Clinical and Cone-Beam Sinus Assessment

Purpose: To evaluate the thickness of the sinus membrane in contact with implants inserted 10 years before using an augmentation procedure without grafting material, and to identify adverse events correlated with implant protrusion in the sinus. Materials and Methods: Osteotome sinus floor elevations were performed without grafting material. The implants (Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) were placed simultaneously, all protruded into the sinus. After 10 years, implants were considered viable in the absence of mobility, pain, infection, or continued radiolucency. Sinus health was assessed using cone-beam computed tomography and by the way of a questionnaire in which patients reported symptoms of sinusitis they might have had. Results: Controlled implants (21 implants, 13 patients) were osseointegrated. The membrane thickness was <2 mm in 11 patients and 2 to 3 mm with flat thickening in 2 patients. No patients exhibited any clinical or radiographic signs of sinusitis. Conclusions: No sinus complications were observed after 10 years. The initial protrusion of implants into the sinus did not influence long-term sinus health. The maintenance of successful integration is thus the key to avoiding sinus complication.