Testing the efficiency of a dedicated drills kit for the maxillary sinus lift: a split-mouth clinical study

Aim The present randomized split-mouth clinical study aims at assessing the clinical efficacy of a drills kit designed for the lateral maxillary sinus lift in comparison with piezoelectric instrumentation. 

Materials and Methods Eligible patients, in need of bilateral maxillary sinus floor augmentation before implant placement, were included in the present study. Each patient contributed with two sinuses, randomly allocated to the test or the control group procedures. Sinuses in the test group were treated with the dedicated drills kit, which included different burs and stopper systems for the opening of the lateral antrostomy. Sinuses in the control group were treated with piezoelectric surgery.

Results Seventeen patients, thus 34 maxillary sinuses, were included in the present analysis. The success rate was 100% for both groups. On average, the surgery lasted 38.4±9.01 min with no significant differences between groups. There was a significant difference in the time required for the antrostomy (227±54.6 seconds for the test group and 286±67.5 seconds for the control group). The occurrence of surgical complications was not related to the treatment allocation.

Conclusion The present study documented the efficiency of the dedicated lift drills kit when used for the safe and fast opening of the antrostomy for maxillary sinus augmentation. Further studies with greater sample sizes are recommended to assess the generalizability and external validity of the present results.