Guided Lateral Sinus Lift Procedure Using 3-Dimensionally Printed Templates for a Safe Surgical Approach: A Proof-of-Concept Case Report

The purpose of this article was to present a guided lateral window sinus lift procedure with the aid of a fully digital workflow using surgical templates for window osteotomy preparation and implant placement. A 22-year-old patient with insufficient residual bone height in the posterior maxilla was treated with a maxillary sinus augmentation procedure with a lateral window technique and simultaneous implant installation using 3-dimensionally printed surgical guides. The surgical guides, used for the preparation of both the lateral window and the implant site according to the optimal prosthodontic and anatomic position, were based on a fully digital workflow and virtual pre-planning with modified implant-planning software. Successful functional and esthetic rehabilitation of the patient was accomplished using standard surgical techniques and instruments but an innovative method for the production and application of surgical templates ensured a precise and safe approach for the lateral window osteotomy preparation. This guided lateral window sinus lift technique may reduce the incidence of surgical complications and failures and enhance patient-related outcomes. The purpose of this article was to present a guided lateral window sinus lift procedure with the aid of a fully digital workflow using surgical templates for window osteotomy preparation and implant placement. A 22-year-old patient with insufficient residual bone height in the posterior maxilla was treated with a maxillary sinus augmentation procedure with a lateral window technique and simultaneous implant installation using 3-dimensionally printed surgical guides. The surgical guides, used for the preparation of both the lateral window and the implant site according to the optimal prosthodontic and anatomic position, were based on a fully digital workflow and virtual pre-planning with modified implant-planning software. Successful functional and esthetic rehabilitation of the patient was accomplished using standard surgical techniques and instruments but an innovative method for the production and application of surgical templates ensured a precise and safe approach for the lateral window osteotomy preparation. This guided lateral window sinus lift technique may reduce the incidence of surgical complications and failures and enhance patient-related outcomes.