Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tooth loss and use of a complete denture is still a reality and results in bone loss. Adequate reconstruction of an extremely atrophic edentulous maxilla is a challenge, and different treatment methods have been described for its resolution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients seeking implant placement in edentulous upper jaw with atrophic maxilla were selected in a private clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The bone graft was performed with bilateral sinus lift and horizontal bone graft in anterior region with 0,25-1mm particles of Bio-Oss (Geistlich) covered with a collagen membrane (Bio-Gide, Geistlich). CBCTs were evaluated to verify the need for bone graft, and 6-8 months after bone graft follow-up, to plan implant placement and assess horizontal bone gain. RESULTS: 124 implants were placed in 19 patients, 76 of those in the sinus region. The survival rate was 95.2%, with six implants lost over a mean implants follow-up time of 47.68 months. The horizontal bone gain ranged from 0.00 to 6.86 mm, a mean gain of 2.85mm. An average of 5.5g of Bio-Oss was used per patient, and in 73.7 % of the cases, a flapless surgery was possible for implant placement, and in 92 implants an immediate loading was possible. Final rehabilitation was accomplished with fixed prosthodontics in 16 patients with a mean follow-up of 38.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it is possible to affirm that bone graft with 100% Bio-Oss in atrophic maxilla is a reliable treatment and allow rehabilitation with implants with a high survival rate and the higher the initial bone height, the greater the gain in bone width. Key words:Bone Regeneration, Dental Implants, Prosthodontics, Dentistry.