Nasal Floor Elevation Combined with Dental Implant Placement

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to report on the survival of dental implants placed in conjunction with nasal floor elevation. A retrospective cohort of 32 consecutive patients from two private practices was evaluated. All patients presented with alveolar bone height deficiency in the anterior region, which was not sufficient to place a dental implant according to a computed tomography (CT) scan preformed prior to implantation. Elevation and augmentation of the nasal mucosa was performed simultaneously with dental implant placement. Data collection included demographic information, as well as records of the pre-operative available bone height, implant dimensions, bone addition following nasal floor augmentation, and survival of the implants at last follow-up. Overall, 32 patients received 100 implants that were performed in conjunction with nasal floor elevation. The average pre-operative available bone height according to a CT scan that was preformed prior to implantation was 9.1 ± 0.9 mm and ranged from 7.3 to 11.2 mm. Bone addition following nasal floor augmentation was 3.4 ± 0.9 mm and ranged between 1.1 and 5.7 mm. The mean follow-up time was 27.8 ± 12.4 months, and during that follow-up period, no implant failure was recorded, resulting in 100% implant survival. Nasal floor elevation might serve as a predictable procedure, which allows implant placement in areas with significant atrophy together with increased implant stability due to the bicortical support.