Minimally-invasive osteotome sinus floor elevation combined with short implants and platelet-rich plasma for edentulous atrophic posterior maxilla: A five-year follow-up prospective study

The aim of this study was to investigate the success of the combination of short implants, osteotome sinus floor elevation technique (OSFE) and pure platelet rich plasma (P-PRP), for the rehabilitation of atrophic posterior maxilla. Fifty-one patients were included in this study, receiving a total of 88 short implants in three different lengths (6.5 mm, 7.5 mm, 8.5 mm), depending on the residual bone height level. A total of 39 standard implants were also inserted when judged necessary, and splinted with one or more short implants in order to support a fixed prosthesis. Data were recorded in a one-year and five-year follow-ups. No statistically significant difference was found between short implants with different length, nor between short and standard length implants in terms of both bone level change and bone height. Based on the present results, the use of short implants combined with OSFE technique for the rehabilitation of atrophic posterior maxilla can be recommended.