Giovanni Cricchio: Graftless sinus elevation, concept (r)evolution

Rehabilitation with implants in the posterior maxilla is challenging due to the rapid reduction of the available bone which is the result of physiological resorption of the alveolar process together with increased pneumatisation of the maxillary sinus. Augmentation of the sinus floor is often required to gain sufficient implant stability. Numerous publications exist on different techniques involving bone grafts or bone substitutes together with implants placed at the same time or after graft healing. Recent clinical and experimental studies have indicated that the mere lifting of the maxillary sinus membrane and placement of implants under the elevated membrane to maintain the membrane in an elevated position, induce bone formation around the implants. Results from our recent clinical studies including new implant components will be presented in this lecture.

Dr. Giovanni Cricchio graduated with a degree in dentistry from the University of Palermo in 1991. Between 1999 and 2000 he was enrolled in a clinical observation and research program at the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery within the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University, Sweden. From 2007 until 2011 Dr. Cricchio held a position as research fellow in the same department. He submitted his doctoral dissertation there in 2011. He is a member of an international research group focused on on maxillary sinus bone reformation in conjunction with implant surgery, which has resulted in a number of original publications and review articles in recent years. Dr. Cricchio is in private practice in Palermo, Italy.