A new sinus lift technique in conjunction with placement of 265 implants: a 6-year retrospective study.

A new surgical crestal approach for implant placement in deficient alveolar ridges is presented. Drills of different and increasing lengths allow the surgeon to approach the membrane without risk of tearing it. The study is supported by 265 cases and a 6-year follow-up period (1994-1999). Implants that were 13 and 15 mm in length were inserted, respectively, in 205 and 60 cases. The alveolar ridge height varied between 4 and 10 mm. All implants were HA-coated and had a 3.25-mm diameter. The results of this investigation suggest that this is a reliable and predictable technique for the prosthetic rehabilitation of the maxillary posterior regions in the presence of anatomical restrictions for implant placement.