Immediate replacement of single upper posterior teeth: a report of cases.
BACKGROUND
The immediate replacement of upper molar teeth with implants poses a significant challenge to the clinician because of its sinus involvement.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to report a protocol in which single molar teeth are replaced immediately with implants, minimizing the need for other surgical procedures.


METHODS
This protocol has been employed in eight cases. Briefly, the teeth are extracted atraumatically, the sockets evaluated, an osteotomy performed following the direction of the socket, and a wide diameter implant placed using the socket walls and sinus floor to anchor it. A grafting material is placed when the space between implant and socket wall is considerably large. Three cases are reviewed here, and all eight are summarized.


RESULTS
All cases have excellent soft and hard tissue healing after 6 months. Furthermore, the overall time needed to restore the cases has been considerably reduced and the need for sinus management eliminated.


CONCLUSIONS
The cases presented support the use of the described protocol in the placement of implants in maxillary molar areas without any other sinus procedures.
Vergara
Jaime A
JA
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México. jvergara810@pol.net
Caffesse
Raúl G
RG
D000328:Adult; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000293:injuries; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing
D018786:Bone Substitutes