Maxillary Sinus Lift Procedures: An Overview of Current Techniques, Presurgical Evaluation, and Complications

Abstract

A maxillary sinus lift procedure is indicated if a dental implant needs to be placed in the posterior maxilla with limited bone available to accommodate a dental implant. Both open and closed sinus lifting procedures are reliable approaches for increasing the bone volume needed to support proper implant positioning. However, these methods can lead to several complications. In addition to the general complications commonly linked to oral surgery, such as swelling or hematoma, the primary complication in open sinus lifting is typically the perforation of the Schneiderian membrane during osteotomy. Detailed and extensive presurgical evaluation is crucial to minimize such complications. The objective of this study was to delineate contemporary trends in sinus lift surgery, with a specific emphasis on different techniques of sinus lift procedure, anatomical and surgical factors, presurgical evaluation, bone grafting, and the practical implications of these factors in implant dentistry cases involving a deficient posterior maxilla. In conclusion, while both osteotome and lateral window techniques can assist clinicians in addressing the complexities of implant placement in a deficient posterior maxilla, bone height before implantation remains a critical factor in determining the success and longevity of implants.

Keywords: anatomy; bone augmentation; complications; maxillary sinus; perforation; schneiderian membrane; sinus lifting procedure.

Figure 1. CBCT showing both the diameter and course of the alveolar-antral artery.

CBCT: Cone-beam computed tomography. Source: [43]

Figure 2. A panoramic image showing reference lines drawn and perpendicular distances measured from the crest of the bone to the maxillary sinus floor.

Source: [46].