The influence of maxillary lateral wall thickness on the alveolar horizontal bone dimension after lateral sinus elevation without bone grafts: A retrospective study

Background and Objective: Lateral wall thickness is an important anatomical entity in sinus lift procedures, but its relationship with crestal bone dimension has received limited attention. This study assessed the association between the thickness of the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus and horizontal crestal bone changes in cases undergoing lateral window sinus lift with simultaneous implant placement and without bone grafts. Methodology: This retrospective study included 35 patients undergoing lateral sinus lift procedures without bone graft and immediate implant placement. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) measurements, including residual bone height (RBH), bone density, and lateral wall thickness, were performed immediate-preoperatively and at six months postoperatively. Change in crestal bone width was compared between patients with lateral wall thickness >1 mm vs. 1 mm while 21 cases had