Comparing Tunnel Flap and Trapezoidal Flap Techniques for Lateral Sinus Lift in Patients with Severe Maxillary Bone Loss

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of two surgical techniques for the lateral sinus lift procedure in patients who have lost some or all of their upper back teeth maxillary premolar or molar areas and have severe bone loss in the jaw. The study aims to determine if the tunnel flap technique causes fewer post-operative symptoms and has a lower complication rate compared to the traditional trapezoidal flap technique. This trial is prospective and randomized, focusing on safety and success of bone grafting. Participants will undergo one of two lateral sinus lift procedures. One group will receive the tunnel flap technique, involving a single vertical anterior incision, while the other group will have the trapezoidal flap technique with a horizontal incision and two releasing incisions. Both procedures include elevating a full-thickness flap, creating a trap door in the sinus wall, elevating the sinus membrane, and filling the sinus with a bone graft. After surgery, implants will be placed six months later, followed by prosthetic rehabilitation after another six months, with implant monitoring for up to a year after that. During the study, participants will be closely monitored through phone contact the day after surgery and will keep a diary to record pain levels and medication use during the first week. Follow-up visits will include suture removal and assessments 30 days after suture removal. Researchers will measure pain and discomfort using a visual analog scale on the fourth day after surgery, track healing and complications at various points, and evaluate graft healing six months after implant placement. The total follow-up includes monitoring implants for up to 12 months after prosthetic treatment.

"Tunnel" Flap vs Trapezoidal Flap for Lateral Sinus Lift