Crestal sinus lifts when RBH is 2–6 mm: what recent data mean for your chair

Two recent clinical reports show that modified osseodensification burs can safely extend transcrestal sinus elevation down to about 2 mm RBH with high short‑term implant survival, and that choosing a super‑hydrophilic implant surface does not produce a clear radiographic advantage at 12 months.

Transcrestal (crestal) sinus floor elevation remains attractive for single implants in the posterior maxilla because it avoids a lateral window, shortens treatment time and needs less equipment. A new retrospective cohort of 81 patients reports outcomes after using a modified osseodensification bur (the “Sun Bur”) for transcrestal sinus elevation in sites with 2.0–6.0 mm residual bone height (RBH). Overall implant survival and success were high (79/81 implants, 97.5%) after a mean follow‑up of about 23 months, and the sinus membrane perforation rate was low (5/81, 6.2%). Bone height gain averaged around 4.6 mm in the 2–<4 mm RBH group and about 3.1 mm in the 4–6 mm group (difference driven largely by starting height). The authors conclude the modified OD bur produced predictable lifts and high short‑term survival across both RBH bands. ([visualize.jove.com](