ABSTRACT
Rapid crestal bone resorption following maxillary tooth loss is further accentuated in the posterior regions because of pneumatization and enlargement of the maxillary sinuses. A treatment rationale that allows preservation and augmentation of vertical available bone at the time of posterior maxillary tooth extraction may offer numerous therapeutic benefits which are more short courses of therapy and no needs of additional surgical augmentation. The present study comprised 3 patients who had 4 posterior maxillary teeth with no evident bone between the tooth apex and sinus floor, as estimated through preoperative radiographic analysis. Sinus floor augmentation at the time of tooth extraction was chosen for the ltreatment of these patients. After the tooth was carefully extracted, the empty alveolus was thoroughly debrided and a trephine approach was performed. Particulated autogenous bone was gently pushed beyond the empty alveolus to elevate the sinus membrane using an osteotome. The distance between bone crest and sinus floor was radiographically estimated 4 months after the first procedure. Another procedure was then carried out to place the implants of 11 mm length without another augmentation procedure. All implant were clinically stable, with no sign of infection. The presented surgical procedure performed at the time of extraction of posterior maxillary teeth in close proximity to the sinus floor allowed placement of implants of proper length.