Purpose: To analyze the effects of age on the sinus graft remodeling of transalveolar sinus floor elevation (SFE) with simultaneous placement of dental implants.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study design was adopted. A total of 222 sites in 216 patients who underwent transalveolar SFE with immediate implant placement were included. The clinical and radiographic data were collected at preoperative, postoperative, and postloading time points. Age was divided into three groups: < 30 years, 30 to 50 years, and > 50 years. The ratio of sinus graft resorption (Ratio) was used to evaluate the outcomes of the surgery and loading. ANOVA was applied to explore the correlation of total elevation height (TEH) with implant loading. The Ridge regression model was used to explore the relationship between Ratio and age and other possible factors.
Results: A total of 222 implants in 216 patients were included for implant-based analysis. The TEH averaged 6.983 ± 2.251 mm on the day after surgery (T1), and sinus graft resorption was found during the healing period and after implant loading (P < .01). Age was found to be a reliable correlation with the Ratio (P < .01). A significantly decreased bone formation efficiency was found with aging.
Conclusion: According to the results of this retrospective chart review, age was the main factor affecting the outcomes when applying transalveolar SFE with simultaneous implant placement. This finding could be a guide for clinical treatment.
Keywords: sinus floor elevation, bone formation, age, implant loading
