ABSTRACT
Dental implant placement at posterior maxilla is often complicated by bone resorption, poor bone quality and the presence of pneumatized maxillary sinuses. Several techniques have been proposed to facilitate implant placement at posterior maxilla, but the need for a range of surgical interventions, the rote of complications and the extended time- consuming procedures involved, limited patient acceptance of the proposed treatment options. Novel methods were advocated for implant placement at posterior maxilla, whereby the sinus membrane can be elevated quickly and safely via lateral or crestal approaches, or short implants could be placed achieving successful outcome. The surgical time is markedly reduced and the techniques were reportedly comfortable for patients and surgeons. This review presents the scientific concepts and the level of evidence of the clinical procedures of those techniques