Does a Severely Resorbed Subantral Ridge Decrease Long-Term Implant Survival Rate with Sinus Floor Augmentation?

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Dental Implantology
• Bone Regeneration

Background:

• Maxillary sinus grafting is a common procedure to augment bone height for dental implants.
• Residual bone height is a critical factor influencing implant success.
• Limited data exists on the long-term impact of minimal residual bone height on implant outcomes after sinus grafting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the 5-year implant survival and prosthetic complication rates in patients with maxillary sinus grafting.
• To determine the influence of residual bone height (< 3 mm) on these outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 87 patients undergoing 104 lateral maxillary sinus augmentations using deproteinized bovine bone.
• Patients were divided into two groups based on residual bone height: < 3 mm (study group) and ≥ 3 mm (control group).
• Implant survival and prosthetic complications were analyzed over a mean follow-up of 68.2 months.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in 5-year implant survival (97.4% vs. 100%) or prosthetic complication rates (8.0% vs. 12.5%) between the study and control groups.
• Residual bone height, patient age, sex, and implant placement timing were not significant factors for implant survival or complications.
• The lateral bone wall was thinner in the study group, and grafted bone height reduction occurred similarly in both groups over time.

Conclusions:

• A residual bone height of less than 3 mm does not negatively impact 5-year implant survival rates in grafted maxillary sinuses.
• Prosthetic complication rates are not significantly affected by minimal residual bone height after maxillary sinus grafting.
• These findings support the predictability of dental implant placement in augmented sinuses even with limited initial bone height.