Sinus floor elevation

Background. Classical sinus floor elevation and its modifications are of central importance in the treatment of an atrophic posterior maxilla. In 1977 Tatum first reported a new method to improve the vertical height of the sinus floor and in 1980 Boyne and James published the lateral approach by antrostomy in association with sinus floor elevation. To compensate for the volume defect in sinus floor elevation, autologous bone, bone substitute material and combinations of both these materials were used. Methods. The often difficult anatomical situation of the posterior maxilla is the result of both the pneumatization of the sinus floor and atrophy of the alveolar process. The vertical problem can be associated with a horizontal loss of bone. The combination of these kinds of defects requires an extensive knowledge in planning and implementation of augmentation procedures. The success of the whole treatment essentially depends on a sufficient prosthetic strategy. The backward planning process with integration of aesthetic and static functional aspects determines the correct positioning of the implants and therefore defines the necessary augmentation. The planning and execution of sinus floor elevation augmentation is often only possible based on computed tomography or cone beam computed tomography. Prerequisites for a successful total strategy are excellent knowledge of the physiology and anatomy of the mid-face and also experience in the field of otorhinolaryngology, including absolute and relative contraindications.