Abstract

This report describes periodontal ligament (PDL)–preserving autotransplantation combined with graft-free crestal sinus membrane elevation in a posterior maxillary site with limited residual bone height. A 28-year-old woman with a non-restorable maxillary first molar and approximately 3 mm of residual crestal bone height underwent autotransplantation of a mature third molar with simultaneous graft-free sinus membrane elevation. Approxi mately nine years of follow-up demonstrated stable function with preservation of the PDL space, no ankylosis or pathologic root resorption, and progressive bone formation within the sinus-associated void. PDL-preserving autotransplantation with graft-free sinus membrane elevation may represent a viable biologically based alterna tive in selected posterior maxillary cases. (J Korean Dent Assoc 2026; 64(8): 293-299)