[Clinical study of sinus elevation by water balloon and implant placement].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical results and technique of minimally invasive sinus membrane water balloon elevation followed by bone augmentation and implant placement simultaneously.

Methods: From May 2006 to November 2007, 31 patients (male: 16, female: 15; mean age: 41.2 +/- 11.8) were involved in the study. Clinical examination and radiographs were conducted.

Results: The mean residual ridge height was (4.79 +/- 1.18) mm and the mean elevated height was (10.60 +/- 2.06) mm. A total of 31 implants were placed and restored with the mean follow-up period of (14.2 +/- 3.6) months. Only minor complications were observed postoperatively. One implant was lost due to infection two weeks after operation.

Conclusions: The procedure of minimally invasive sinus membrane water balloon elevation achieves an excellent success rate, low complication, minimal discomfort, and the short-term result is predictable.