The use of platelet-rich fibrin prepared with titanium tubes (T-PRF) in external maxillary sinus lift combined with simultaneous implant placement (case series).

BACKGROUND: Conventional implantation in the posterior maxillary region is often difficult due to the lack of sufficient bone between the alveolar crest and the floor of the maxillary sinus. However, the lack of bone height can be overcome by grafting the floor of the maxillary sinus with a sinus lift procedure, which is performed using various types of bone grafts. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone gain, success and stability of implants associated with a single-stage lateral window external sinus lift using platelet- rich fibrin prepared with titanium tube (T-PRF) alone as a filler instead of bone grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 7 case series of maxillary sinus lift via the lateral window in 6 patients with unilateral or bilateral posterior maxillary loss, aged 30-60 years. 14 implants were placed in one stage simultaneously with sinus lift using platelet-rich fibrin prepared with titanium tubes (T-PRF). The residual bone height (RBH) between the alveolar bone crest and the sinus floor was 4-5 mm. All patients underwent CBCT imaging preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 6 months later to assess the amount of bone gain and density, Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) was evaluated immediately and after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The mean of ISQ values immediately after implantation was 67.50, after 3 months was 72.14, and after 6 months was 76.14, with a statistically significant difference between the monitoring periods. The mean of residual bone height (RBH) before the sinus lift was 4.53 mm, the mean of bone height 6 months after the sinus lift and implantation was 12.07 mm, and the mean of bone gain height was 7.54 mm. The mean bone density of gained bone 6 months after surgery was +479.29 Hu. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the use of platelet-rich fibrin prepared with titanium tubes (T-PRF) alone as a solo filler is effective in performing external sinus lift and implant placement in one stage.