Sinus en block inlay grafting with lateral approach and bone lid replacement: report of a series of cases

Posterior maxillary regions are often a problematic area for implant placement because of insufficient quality and quantity of available bone, arising from combined advanced resorption of alveolar crest and increased pneumatization of the maxillary sinus. A sufficient volume could be created by several types of grafting procedure. The basic surgical technique, designed to treat such atrophy and provide adequate bone volume for implant positioning, is the “sinus lift,” initially described by Boyne et al and Tatum. Sinus lift by a modified Caldwell-Luc procedure, in which the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus is cut, removed, and then, after sinus grafting with autologous bone block, reset into its original position, has been described for cases with an extremely reduced sinus floor. The aim of the present report of cases of patients treated by sinus lift, as per Sailer, and delayed implant insertion is to refer possible advantages of the technique as well as potential complications and their treatment or prevention.