A dental implant dislocated in the ethmoidal sinus: A case report

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology and Dental Implantology
• Anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses

Background:

• Maxillary sinusitis is a rare complication of endodontic dental implants impinging on the maxillary sinuses.
• The influence of anatomical variants of paranasal sinuses on dental sinusitis pathophysiology and clinical presentation is not well understood.

Observation:

• A case report of a 63-year-old male patient with a dislocated dental implant.
• The patient presented with bilateral accessory maxillary orifices, an unusual anatomical variation.
• The dental implant was found dislocated within the ethmoidal sinus.

Findings:

• The presence of bilateral accessory maxillary orifices may facilitate implant migration without causing significant mucus stagnation.
• This anatomical variation potentially explains the unusual clinical presentation of dental sinusitis.
• The implant's migration to the ethmoidal sinus occurred without the typical signs of sinusitis.

Implications:

• Understanding sinonasal anatomical variations is crucial for diagnosing and managing rare dental implant complications.
• This case highlights the need to consider patient-specific anatomy in the context of dental implant placement and potential adverse events.
• Further research into the relationship between sinonasal anatomy and dental implant-related sinusitis is warranted.