Introduction

Dental Implants have emerged as an excellent treatment modality since their inception in the modern era of dentistry. They are considered to be a viable treatment option when there is sufficient quantity and quality of bone. However, when placed in compromised conditions with deficient alveolar ridges, it could jeopardize their success.^[1] The edentulous maxillary posterior region presents several unique and demanding anatomical features that make it a challenging area to deal with. Long-term edentulism in this region has several consequences including residual ridge resorption and pneuma­tisation of sinus.^[2], ^[3] To overcome this, sinus membrane elevation with subsequent bone graft and implant placement has become an established pre-prosthetic pro­cedure. Different types of biomaterials have been used for maxillary sinus floor augmentation including autograft, allograft, xenograft, alloplasts, and growth factors, and the selection of the ideal graft material has been a subject of controversy over the years.^[4] The sinus lift procedures involve a) Lateral window approach b) Trans-alveolar approach.

The lateral approach was first introduced by Tatum in the late 1970s and was first published in literature by Boyne & James in 1980.^[5], ^[6] Later in 1994, the novel transal­veolar technique was introduced by Summer using a set of osteotomes with varying diameters.^[7] However, both the lateral and crestal approaches for sinus elevation have a few shortcomings. The most commonly involved complication is sinus membrane perforation that further results in postoperative pain, increased mor­bidity, delayed healing and sometimes vertigo in few cases. To overcome these limitations, several modifications were done to the conventional technique over the past few years. Therefore, this review article highlights various sinus floor elevation techniques, their indications and the recent advancements.

Techniques for Sinus Floor Elevation

Transalveolar technique

A small osteotomy is performed through the crest of the edentulous alveolar ridge, and the sinus membrane is elevated, thus creating a space for graft placement and blood clot formation. This technique was further modified by including the graft material into the osteotomy and is known as bone-added osteotome sinus floor elevation (BAOSFE) or ‘‘Summers technique’’.^[10] This technique is considered more conservative and invasive than the lateral approach.^[8], ^[9] ([Figure 1] a,b)

Indications and Contraindications For Sinus Augmentation

Minimally Invasive Techniques For Sinus Floor Elevation

To overcome the drawbacks of conventional sinus lift procedures and minimize the risk of membrane perforations, various minimally invasive techniques were introduced. They include: Balloon elevation, Hydraulic pressure, Gel pressure, Piezoelectric system, Reamer mediators, Using CPS putty, Using osseodensification burs and CAD- CAM.

Minimally invasive antral membrane balloon elevation technique (MIAMBE) was introduced by Kfir et. al. to overcome certain disadvantages like buccal window preparation and larger incisions and used a crestal osteotomy through conventional drills and osteotomes. The membrane elevation is achieved using barometric balloon inflator.^[17], ^[18] ([Figure 2])

Hydraulic pressure to elevate sinus membrane was introduced by Chen & Cha in the year 2005. A 2mm of round bur is used to create a pinhole on the sinus floor & membrane separation is achieved through hydraulic pressure delivered by the high speed hand piece. ^[19] Sotirakis & Gonshor in the same year, suggested the use of a syringe filled with saline adjusted at an airtight interface to the osteotomy site and membrane elevation was obtained through hydraulic pressure created by depression of the plunger of the syringe.^[20] ([Figure 3])

Gel pressure elevation was introduced by Pommer & Watsek in 2009. In this technique a surgical template, a soft tissue punch of 4.1mm diameter, cannon drills of 3.3mm diameter with internal irrigation and custom made drill stops along with a specially designed injection nozzle with a radiopaque gel composed of 2% Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), a viscoelastic agent, 37% iopamidol, a radio opaque marker mixed at a ratio of 3:1, were used to elevate the sinus membrane.^[21]

Piezoelectric minimally invasive system was introduced by Vercelloti et. al. ^[22] and Troedhan et. al.^[23] have developed the Intralift System for crestal osteotomy site preparation. Four power modes are available D-1 to D-4, which correspond to bone quality. Initially D-1, D-2 modes are used corresponding to the cortical bone density followed by D3-D4. The separation of the periosteum is achieved by ultrasonic vibrations and hydro-pneumatic pressure of saline solution, created by the mechanism of piezoelectric cavitation. ([Figure 4])

Reamer mediated sinus floor elevation was introduced by Ahn & co workers. They used specially designed reamers with one cutting edge (CE) at 85 degree cutting angle to prepare the osteotomy site and at a lower speed of 30-50 rmp along with bone graft material to elevate the sinus membrane. The flat end of the RE provides a light vertical pushing action on the sinus floor during the reaming that enables separation and elevation of sinus membrane.^[24] ([Figure 5])

Transcrestal approach with CPS putty was introduced by Kher & co workers in 2014. They used calcium phosphosilicate (CPS) putty for hydraulic sinus membrane elevation. Initially, 0.2cm of Calcium silicophosphate putty is supplied into the osteotomy site using a catridge and it provides a cushioning effect. Using this, a greenstick fracture on the sinus floor is created. Later, 0.5cm CPS are inserted into the space. According to the authors, this technique possess minimal risk of perforation due to consistency of putty and have shown considerable gain in bone height comparable to lateral approach.^[25]

Indirect sinus elevation with osseodensification

The technique was introduced by Huwais in 2013. They used specially designed bur called Densah bus in counter clockwise direction at a speed of 800-1500 rpm to achieve osseodensification. The tip of these burs is designed to achieve apical condensation of bone enabling an indirect sinus elevation with reduced chances of perforation.^[26] ([Figure 6])

CAD-CAM approach for Sinus elevation was introduced by Pozzi & Co- workers in 2013. They used a computer-guided planning and a guided surgical approach. A CAD/CAM‑generated surgical template along with drills and calibrated expanding condensing osteotomes were used for sinus elevation.^[27]

Discussion

In this era of prosthetically driven implant dentistry, the sinus lift procedures enabled implant placement even in areas with compromised bone quality and quantity. However, the conventional techniques presented with an increased risk of sinus perforation. Nolan & co-workers in their longitudinal study of 359 sinus lift procedures for 3 years observed that 7 out of every 10 failed sinus grafts were accompanied by a perforated Schneiderian membrane during sinus lift surgery.^[28] This further increased the risk of incidence of sinusitis and implant failure. However, few other studies did not report any significant differences in implant survival rates between the perforated and non-perforated side. Thus, minimally invasive sinus elevation techniques were introduced to eliminate the risk of perforation. Kfir et al. in their multicentre research study in 109 patients treated using balloon elevation technique, reported 95% of implant survival rate with only 3 cases with sinus membrane perforation. They have concluded that, minimally invasive antral membrane balloon elevation technique can be employed as alternative to conventional techniques.^[17] Chen & Cha. have advocated that cases with sloping sinuses & compartmental sinus septum can be safely treated using hydraulic pressure technique. However, risk of membrane perforation increases as the use of a fluid jet may cause pressure peaks.^[19] Pommer and Watzek have executed Gel pressure transcrestal sinus lift procedure in 10 atrophic maxillae of human cadavers and they revealed that the gel provides cushioning effect to the sinus membrane by absorbing sudden pressure and transmits forces over greater areas thereby minimizing the risk of membrane perforation.^[21] Therefore these advanced techniques are considered to be more accurate, less invasive, assuring faster recovery and higher patient satisfaction with decreased patient morbidity and chair side time. However, a skilled operator with greater precision is required to perform these technique- sensitive procedures and the kits are of a higher cost.

Conclusion

In the era of minimally invasive dentistry, these newly advanced sinus floor elevation techniques pose an exciting alternative to the indigenous techniques. The success of the procedure is further determined by the operator skills and the available literature on these techniques is minimal. Therefore, long term clinical studies are essential.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.