Flapless osteotome-mediated sinus floor elevation using platelet-rich fibrin versus lateral approach using deproteinised bovine bone mineral for residual bone height of 2-6 mm: A randomised trial.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate patient-reported outcomes and radiographic results of simultaneous implant placement in severely atrophic maxilla using flapless endoscope-assisted osteotome sinus floor elevation with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), also defined as PESS, and to compare the results with those of lateral sinus floor elevation (LSFE).

METHODS

Patients with a residual bone height (RBH) of 2-6 mm were included in a randomised controlled trial. PESS was performed with PRF as the sole grafting material. LSFE was performed using deproteinised bovine bone matrix. Patient-reported outcomes were recorded on a visual analogue scale (VAS-pain) and visual rating scale (VRS-swelling and VRS-willingness). Peri-implant bone height (PBH), bone mineral density (BMD) and sinus grafting remodelling index were measured using CBCT immediately postoperatively and 3rd, 6th and 18th months post-surgery.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 20 patients in each group. The RBH of two groups averaged 3.35 ± 0.79 mm and 2.92 ± 0.63 mm with no significant difference (p > .05). VAS-pain was 18.0 (IR 15.0-22.5) and 35.0 (IR 32.5-37.0) in the PESS and LSFE groups, respectively (p < .01). VAS-pain decreased with time in both groups. VRS-swelling was lower in the PESS group than LSFE group. VRS-willingness was higher in the PESS group than LSFE group (p < .01). At 18 months post-surgery, the marginal bone loss was 0.60 ± 0.25 mm and 0.69 ± 0.35 mm in the two groups with no significant difference (p = .52).

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of this study, PESS was associated with lower postoperative morbidity and was more tolerable than LSFE. PESS could be a reliable procedure for sinus floor elevation in patients with insufficient RBH.