Objective: To compare direct and indirect sinus lifting techniques in patients getting implants in the maxillary molar region for parameters such as postoperative pain, swelling, gingival inflammation, implant stability, and patient comfort.
Study design: Analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from 1st February to 1st November 2023.
Methodology: Sixty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included and divided into two groups, with 30 patients in each group; sinus lifting for implant placement was performed under local anaesthesia. In one group, sinus lifting was performed by the direct method, and in the other group by the indirect method. Postoperatively, patient comfort was recorded immediately after the procedure. Postoperative pain, swelling, and gingival inflammation were recorded on the 3rd and 5th day. Implant stability was recorded after three months.
Results: Implant placement via indirect sinus lifting resulted in less postoperative pain, swelling, and gingival inflammation. This technique was more comfortable for the patients and provided more implant stability as compared to direct sinus lifting.
Conclusion: For implant placement in compromised ridge height in the maxillary molar region, indirect sinus lifting has better treatment outcomes when compared with direct sinus lifting in terms of postoperative pain, swelling, gingival inflammation, implant stability, and patient comfort.
Key words: Dental implant, Alveolar ridge resorption, Direct sinus lifting, Indirect sinus lifting, Bone augmentation.