Radiographic outcomes of transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation: One‐year results of a bi‐center, parallel‐arm randomized trial

Objectives: To comparatively evaluate the radiographic outcomes of transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation (tSFE and lSFE, respectively) when applied concomitantly with implant placement. Materials and methods: Patients with at least 1 edentulous site with residual bone height (RBH) of 3–6 mm were enrolled in a bi‐center, parallel‐arm, randomized trial. Both tSFE and lSFE were associated with a bovine‐derived xenograft, and implants were inserted concomitantly. In lSFE group, the antrostomy was covered with a resorbable collagen membrane. Marginal bone loss and the maturation of the grafted area were evaluated on periapical radiographs at 6 and 12 months. Twelve‐month CT/CBCT was used to assess the effect of grafting procedures circumferentially around the implant. A per‐protocol analysis was performed. Results: The per‐protocol study population consisted of 26 patients in the tSFE group and 28 patients in the lSFE group. At 12 months, the median proportion of the implant surface in contact with the peri‐implant radiopaque area was 100% in both groups, with no significant inter‐group difference. Suboptimal bone‐to‐implant contact was observed in 13% and 3.6% of tSFE and lSFE cases, respectively. In both groups, arginal bone loss was minimal (≤1 mm) and infrequent, and the radiographic aspect was suggestive of an advanced stage of maturation. Conclusions: At sites with RBH of 3–6 mm where implants are placed concomitantly with sinus floor elevation, tSFE and lSFE are both highly predictable in obtaining an implant surface completely embedded in a radiopaque area at 12 months post‐surgery.