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Review
. 2012 Sep 1;17(5):e769-74.
doi: 10.4317/medoral.18032.

Accidental displacement and migration of endosseous implants into adjacent craniofacial structures: a review and update

Alberto González-García  1 , Jaime González-García, Marcio Diniz-Freitas, Abel García-García, Pedro Bullón
Affiliations
Review

Accidental displacement and migration of endosseous implants into adjacent craniofacial structures: a review and update

Alberto González-García et al. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. .

Abstract

Objectives: Accidental displacement of endosseous implants into the maxillary sinus is an unusual but potential complication in implantology procedures due to the special features of the posterior aspect of the maxillary bone; there is also a possibility of migration throughout the upper paranasal sinuses and adjacent structures. The aim of this paper is to review the published literature about accidental displacement and migration of dental implants into the maxillary sinus and other adjacent structures.

Study design: A review has been done based on a search in the main on-line medical databases looking for papers about migration of dental implants published in major oral surgery, periodontal, dental implant and ear-nose-throat journals, using the keywords "implant," "migration," "complication," "foreign body" and "sinus."

Results: 24 articles showing displacement or migration to maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses, orbit and cranial fossae, with different degrees of associated symptoms, were identified. Techniques found to solve these clinical issues include Cadwell-Luc approach, transoral endoscopy approach via canine fossae and transnasal functional endoscopy surgery.

Conclusion: Before removing the foreign body, a correct diagnosis should be done in order to evaluate the functional status of the ostiomeatal complex and the degree of affectation of paranasal sinuses and other involved structures, determining the size and the exact location of the foreign body. After a complete diagnosis, an indicated procedure for every case would be decided.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Oblique frontal cephalogram showing upper metallic foreign body and right maxillary sinus total occupation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Lateral cephalogram showing an endosseous implant.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Coronal computerized tomography showing exophthalmia and partial occupation of the ethmoid sinuses by a metallic foreign body (an endosseous implant).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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