Risk Factors for Early Implant Failure Following Sinus Augmentation: A Multi-Centre Nested Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Periodontology
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Sinus augmentation (SA) is a common procedure to enhance bone volume for dental implants.
• Early implant failure, occurring within 12 months, can significantly impact treatment success and patient satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key determinants associated with early implant failure following sinus augmentation.
• To analyze clinical and radiographic parameters influencing implant survival rates post-SA.

Main Methods:

• A nested case-control study was conducted involving 129 early implant failures (cases) and 273 successful implants (controls) after SA.
• Data were collected from eight German centers between 2016 and 2021.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for early implant failure.

Main Results:

• Male sex (OR 1.6), current smoking (OR 1.9), and a history of severe periodontitis (OR 7.5) were significantly associated with increased failure risk.
• Fewer residual bone height (3 to <5mm: OR 2.4; <3mm: OR 3.8), more missing teeth (OR 1.4), and low insertion torque (<8 Ncm: OR 5.8) were also strong predictors of early implant loss.
• These associations remained significant after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusions:

• Male gender, smoking, severe periodontitis history, reduced bone height, and low insertion torque are critical risk factors for early implant failure after sinus augmentation.
• Understanding these determinants can help clinicians optimize treatment planning and patient selection to improve implant survival rates.
• Further research may focus on mitigating these specific risk factors to enhance long-term dental implant success.