A method to retrieve a displaced dental implant from the maxillary sinus

Dental implants can be displaced into the maxillary sinus. Retrieval by endoscopic or Caldwell-Luc techniques have been previously reported. A modified Caldwell-Luc technique is presented here, where a small round lateral osseous window is created. A plastic surgical aspirator tip is cut and modified to fit tightly into the access window. The sinus is filled with saline, and the patient is placed in a lateral recumbent position in the dental chair with the involved sinus on the underside. The saline acts as a vehicle to bring out the implant. The festooned aspirator is then introduced into the access window, and the errant implant can be successfully brought to the window for retrieval.