Abstract
BACKGROUND: After tooth extraction, the alveolar bone loses volume in height and width over time, meaning that reconstructive procedures may be necessary to perform implant placement. In the maxilla, to increase the bone volume, a mini-invasive surgery, such as a sinus lift using the crestal approach, could be performed. METHODS: A crestal approach was used in this study to perform the sinus lift, fracturing the bone and inserting collagen (Condress(®)). The single dental implant was placed in the healed bone after six months. RESULTS: The newly formed bone was histologically analyzed after healing. Histomorphological analyses confirmed the quality of the new bone formation even without graft biomaterials. This is probably due to the enlargement of the space, meaning more vascularization and stabilization of the coagulum. CONCLUSION: Using just collagen could be sufficient to induce proper new bone formation in particular clinical situations, with a minimally invasive surgery to perform a sinus lift.