Implants inserted in the posterior maxilla frequently need additional surgery for successful bone augmentation. One of the most common procedures for this is transalveolar sinus floor elevation. There are different protocols for this procedure, and there is controversy over the simultaneous application of grafting material upon elevating. In this prospective randomized clinical study in humans, a total of 49 transalveolar sinus floor elevations were performed in 49 different patients, divided into a control group (without graft, 25 patients) and a test group (with graft, 24 patients). The analyzed variables were obtained through digital orthopantomography on day 0 (day of surgery) and 18 months after surgery. These measurements showed a tendency towards greater vertical bone gain in the test group, but this was not statistically significant. Therefore, considering that sinus elevation and implant placement without the application of grafts is a successful treatment with fewer complications, a critical assessment of the need for these biomaterials is necessary.

Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) requires abutment disconnection to monitor implant stability. To overcome this limitation, an experimental transepithelial abutment was designed to allow a SmartPeg to be screwed onto it, in order to determine the prototype abutments repeatability and reproducibility using Osstell ISQ and to assess whether implant length and diameter have an influence on the reliability of these measurements. RFA was conducted with a SmartPeg screwed directly into the implant and onto experimental abutments of different heights of 2, 3.5 and 5 mm. A total of 32 patients (116 implants) were tested. RFA measurements were taken twice for each group from mesial, distal, buccal and palatal/lingual surfaces. Mean values and SD were calculated and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) (p < 0.05, IC 95%). The implant stability quotient (ISQ) mean values were 72.581 measured directly to implant and 72.899 (2 mm), 72.391 (3.5 mm) and 71.458 (5 mm) measured from the prototypes. ICC between measurements made directly to implant and through 2-, 3.5- and 5-mm abutments were 0.908, 0.919 and 0.939, respectively. RFA values registered through the experimental transepithelial abutments achieved a high reliability. Neither the implant length nor the diameter had any influence on the measurements’ reliability.