Simultaneous Oral Antral Fistula Closure and Sinus Floor Augmentation to Facilitate Dental Implant Placement or Orthodontics

Several techniques have been used to treat the oroantral fistula with similar rates of success and failure. Some of them frequently present anatomical disadvantages. They can reduce vestibular depth, cause lack of support bone, or cause fusion of the Schneiderian and mucosal membranes. In this report, we present 3 cases of orosinusal fistulas successfully treated with a simultaneous closure of the communication and sinus floor augmentation. At the same time, this technique enables the restoration of the alveolar process with enough bone volume, which facilitates later implant surgery, prosthetic rehabilitation, or even some orthodontic treatments. (C) 2010 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 68:1148-4151, 2010