The Use of a Tilted Implant to Avoid Sinus Floor Elevation: a Case Report.

Objectives. Insufficient bone height in the posterior maxilla often requires bone augmentation procedures as sinus floor elevation or vertical ridge augmentation for implant placement. Tilted implants may represent an alternative treatment modality for fixed rehabilitation in this region [1-4]. The aim of this case report is to present a maxillary partial edentulous arch rehabilitated using regular and tilted implants. Case presentation. A 69-years-old man presented the teeth #1.4, #1.5, #1.6 and #1.7 missing (Fig.1). The missing teeth were decided to be rehabilitated with implant-supported fixed prosthesis. Two regular mesial implants (Dentsply Xive 3.8x11mm) and 1 tilted distal implant (Dentsply Xive 4.5x11mm) were inserted (Fig.2-3). At the same time the element #1.8 was extracted. Three months later, an impression of the position of the implants was taken (Fig.4) and 3 customized abutments and a metal-ceramic bridge were realized (Fig.5-6). After occlusal and esthetic checks, the abutments were tightened and the fixed prosthesis was luted (Fig.7-8). Results. The 6 months follow-up showed stability of both implant and prosthesis (Fig.9-10) Conclusions. Within the limits of this case report, titled implants may be a valid and less invasive alternative for the rehabilitation of posterior maxilla in those cases where bone augmentation procedures are not strictly needed