Displacement of three dental implants into the maxillary sinus in two patients. Report of two cases

Reconstruction of the posterior edentulous maxilla with dental implants has become a popular practice worldwide. However, the poor bone quality and quantity in this area is sometimes related with complications. Dental implant displacement into the maxillary sinus is a rare complication.

In the present paper, we present two patients with three implants displaced into the maxillary sinus. The implants were removed soon after their displacement, using the classic intraoral approach, through the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus. The operation was performed under local anesthesia for both of the patients. The postoperative course was uneventful for both of the patients without any wound dehiscence. Recovery remained uneventful, without any signs of postoperative sinusitis.

Implant displacement into the maxillary sinus is of rare occurrence and usually related to inadequate bone quality and quantity. Dental implants into the maxillary sinus usually act as foreign bodies and should be removed, to avoid the development of sinus complications. Removal of dental implants from the maxillary sinus can be performed either with functional endoscopic sinus surgery, or with intraoral operation through the anterior maxillary wall especially in fresh cases and in the presence of oroantral communication.