Balloon sinus lift: a pilot study

Objectives: To compare sinus lift procedure through anterolateral wall of sinus to balloon assisted crestal sinus lift about their morbidity, patientxs satisfaction and obtained graft volume. Methods: We show preliminary results of a prospective, controlled, double blind , split mouth clinical trial at seventh month of study, comparing two techniques in the same patient. 8 patients underwent bilateral sinus lift with biomaterial (Bio-Oss®). Schneiderian membrane was elevated using a water balloon catheter in one side, while using manual instruments in the other side. Swelling and postoperative pain was recorded by Visual Analogue Scale. Computed Tomography was made preoperatively and six month postoperatively to compare grafting volumes. During implant placement surgery, bone biopsy samples was taken to asess new bone formation versus residual biomaterial. Results: 9 conventional sinus lift and 7 balloon assisted sinus lift was performed. 7 patients developed in the control group moderate swelling and mild pain while mild swelling and mild or no pain was registered in balloon side. Unilateral sinusitis was found in 1 case, and bilateral sinusitis in other, seven days postoperatively, requiring antibiotic treatment. Enough bone volume to allow implant placement was found in all patients without significative differences between techniques. Conclusions: Within this study limitations, balloon sinus lift seems to be a safe, effective and less invasive procedure than conventional approach.