Journal of implantology and applied sciences 대한구강악안면임플란트학회지 ISSN:2765-7833(Print) 2765-7841(Online)

Purpose: Dental implant displacement into the maxillary sinus can be performed intraoperatively, during the healing phase and after loading. We aimed to describe the etiology, sequela, and treatment in each stage by presenting 27 sinus migration cases.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients presenting with displaced implants into the maxillary sinus were included in this study. All the patients were referred from the local dental clinic. They comprised 18 men and 9 women, with a mean age of 58 years. We examined the location of the displaced implant, time of displacement, etiology, presence of sinusitis, and implant operation technique. The dental implants were removed by a lateral approach with endoscope-assisted surgery upon no visualization by lateral window formation.

Results: The implants were displaced into the maxillary sinus during operation (5 cases), during healing periods (15 cases), and after loading (7 cases). Ratio of the right to left side was 13:14. The lateral approach (6 cases) and osteotome technique (21 cases) were used for implant placement. Membrane perforation during operation was the most common etiology for sinus migration. Implant displacement occurred in two cases during the removal of fractured implant. The displaced implants were removed by a lateral approach to the maxillary sinus.

Conclusion: Implant displacement was predominant during the healing period and for the osteotome technique. Unnoticed membrane perforation during implant placement in the posterior maxilla may cause dental implant displacement into the maxillary sinus. Osteotome sinus floor elevation should be utilized carefully to prevent implant migration. The lateral approach with endoscope visualization facilitated displaced implant removal.