Preliminary study with the use of a titanium mesh as space maker and implant primary stabilization for one-stage sinus lift in cases with less than 1.5 mm residual bone

(1) Background: In the lateral area of the maxilla, the alveolar bone can lose significant volume due to maxillary sinus pneumatization following teeth extractions. This preliminary study evaluated the effectiveness of a novel technique for one-stage sinus lifting and simultaneous implant placement in cases with less than 1.5 mm residual alveolar bone. The subsequent survival rate at 1-year post-occlusal loading was assessed. (2) Methods: 15 patients were selected, the main inclusion criteria were the partially edentulous area in the posterior maxilla with alveolar bone height of less than 1.5 mm below the sinus. All of the patients underwent one-stage sinus lifting, along with simultaneous implant placement using a “butterfly” anchorage device to optimize the primary stability and xenograft bone as graft material. At 6 to 9 months after surgery, the anchorage device was removed and implants were loaded. Panoramic x-ray images were used to assess the new bone formation, while the biological stability was measured using resonance frequency analysis. (3) Results: 15 implants were inserted. The mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) value was 71.3 (SD = ±2.51) and the mean healing period was 7.3 (SD = ±1.23) months. The mean bone height after the healing period was 14.4 (SD = ±2.05). A statistically significant correlation was found between the healing period and the ISQ value (Spearman rho = 0.684, sig. = 0.005). No statistically significant correlation was found between the ISQ value and the new regenerated bone height (Person r = 0.389, sig. = 0.152). Smoking was identified as a risk factor involved in postoperative complications. (4) Conclusions: The results of the present preliminary study demonstrated that the proposed “butterfly” technique was effective when performing one-stage sinus lifting and simultaneous implant placement in cases with less than 1.5 mm of residual alveolar bone. The survival rate was 100% at 1-year post occlusal loading.