Short Implants vs Sinus Augmentation
Treatment options for the implant-supported rehabilitation of edentulous posterior maxilla is based on the available alveolar bone height, type of bone, and interarch space. Two approaches suggested in the posterior maxilla presenting with limited alveolar bone height are either sinus augmentation with standard dental implants or short implants. But, is one approach better than another? A recent study 1, compared maxillary sinus floor augmentation associated to standard length implants, with direct placement of implants of reduced length in the available residual bone.
The conclusion:
In spite of comparable medium-term clinical and radiographic outcomes, when the residual ridge height is sufficient for a safe placement, Short Implants (SIs) may be preferred due to simplified protocol, less invasiveness, shorter treatment time, and reduced postoperative discomfort as compared to sinus augmentation (SA).1Read More
Are you using short implants in your practice in cases where you would have previously chosen sinus augmentation [SA] and standard implants?
1.Short dental implants as compared to maxillary sinus augmentation procedure for the rehabilitation of edentulous posterior maxilla: Three-year results of a randomized clinical study.. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2018 Feb;20(1):9-20. .
Taschieri S et al.
