Author(s)

Khurram M. Shahzad¹, Andrew Q. Madson², Evan M. Shipp³, Andrew W. Ellis⁴

¹Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, US Air Force Residency Program, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, CA, USA.
²Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, US Air Force Hospital, Lakenheath, UK.
³Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program, San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), San Antonio, TX, USA.
⁴US Air Force Hospital, Lakenheath, UK.

Purpose: To assess surgical success rate of placing dental implants in the atrophic posterior maxilla engaging the maxillary sinus floor in patients with inadequate posterior maxillary alveolar bone height (PMABH). Methods: 26 patients with PMABH of 7 - 10 mm had 39 implants placed between July 2012 and June 2014. These implants were placed protruding apically 1 - 3 mm into the maxillary sinus engaging the sinus floor. At stage one, implants and cover screws were placed, followed by stage two, 5 - 6 months later. The implants were considered osseo-integrated in the absence of symptoms, mobility and inflammation. Periapical radiographs were taken to rule out peri-implant radiolucency. Restorative treatment was completed 2 months thereafter. Patients were scheduled to have a dental exam (6 - 12 months after delivery of prosthesis) and the implants were evaluated clinically and radiographically. A retrospective review was conducted to assess the surgical success rate of this treatment modality. Clinic charts, radiographs and digital implant log were reviewed for all patients with PMABH of 7 - 10 mm who received dental implants in the posterior maxilla to determine the success rate of this treatment modality. Results: 26 patients who had 39 implants placed were included in the study. All implants (100%) were osseo-integrated at the time of uncovering (stage 2). None of the implants (0%) had mobility or inflammation around them. Stage 2 was successfully performed on all 39 implants (100%). All implants (100%) in these patients had been restored, and were in good condition without mobility or inflammation, and had been functioning well 6 - 12 months after restoration. Conclusion: This study suggests that a high success rate can be attained placing dental implants in the posterior maxilla while perforating and engaging the cortical maxillary sinus floor. A future prospective study that compares this technique with the internal sinus lift would likely help elucidate this suggestion.

Posterior Maxilla, Implants, Sinus Perforation

Shahzad, K. , Madson, A. , Shipp, E. and Ellis, A. (2017) Success Rate of Dental Implants Placed in the Atrophic Posterior Maxilla with Intentional Sinus Floor Perforation in Lieu of Indirect Sinus Augmentation: A Retrospective Report of 26 Consecutive Patients and Literature Review. Open Journal of Stomatology, 7, 113-120. doi: 10.4236/ojst.2017.72007.