Six‐year extension results of a randomized trial comparing transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation at sites with 3–6 mm of residual bone

Abstract Objectives To comparatively evaluate the 6‐year outcomes of transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation (tSFE and lSFE, respectively). Methods The 54 patients representing the per‐protocol population of a randomized trial comparing implant placement with simultaneous tSFE versus lSFE at sites with a residual bone height of 3–6 mm were invited to participate in the 6‐year follow‐up visit. Study assessments included: peri‐implant marginal bone level at the mesial (mMBL) and distal (dMBL) aspects of the implant, proportion of the entire implant surface in direct contact with the radiopaque area (totCON%), probing depth, bleeding on probing, suppuration on probing, and modified plaque index. Also, the conditions of the peri‐implant tissues at 6‐year visit were diagnosed according to the case definitions of peri‐implant health, mucositis, and peri‐implantitis from the 2017 World Workshop. Results Forty‐three patients (21 treated with tSFE and 22 treated with lSFE) participated in the 6‐year visit. Implant survival was 100%. At 6 years, totCON% was 96% (IR: 88%–100%) in tSFE group and 100% (IR: 98%–100%) in lSFE group ( p = .036). No significant intergroup difference in patient distribution according to the diagnosis of peri‐implant health/disease was observed. Median dMBL was 0.3 mm in tSFE group and 0 mm in lSFE group ( p = .024). Conclusions At 6 years following placement concomitantly with tSFE and lSFE, implants showed similar conditions of peri‐implant health. Peri‐implant bone support was high in both groups and was slightly but significantly lower in tSFE group.