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. PURPOSE: 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. MATERIALS AND 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. CONCLUSION: The cases presented support the use of the described protocol in the placement of implants in maxillary molar areas without any other sinus procedures.