Characteristics and impacts of dental implant displacement into the maxillary sinus

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Background/purposeDental implants displaced into the maxillary sinus are considered to require surgical removal as the treatment of choice. However, displaced implants have been reported to affect the maxillary sinus in different ways. This study aimed to evaluate characteristics and impacts of dental implant displacement into the maxillary sinus. Materials and methodsFourteen sinuses with displaced implants into the maxillary sinus were included. Demographic data and radiographic images were analyzed, with a focus on the impact of various factors such as demographic data, timing of displacement, duration of retention, and residual bone height on maxillary sinus opacification and sinus wall thickness. ResultsImplants were displaced during or in the early stage after implant placement in 9 cases and after functional loading in 5 cases. Radiographic evaluations showed higher sinus opacification score (P = 0.019) and increased wall thickness (P = 0.198) in cases with displacement after functional loading, although the difference in wall thickness was not statistically significant. When the duration of implant retention in the sinus was longer, higher sinus opacification and sinus wall thickness were observed, although the differences were not statistically significant. Univariate regression analysis demonstrated that the timing of displacement significantly influenced maxillary sinus opacification (P = 0.013) and sinus wall thickness (P = 0.013). For all cases, evidence of site preparation and the use of short implants were not observed. ConclusionThis study suggests that adequate pre-implant site preparation and timely intervention are essential to prevent and manage implant displacement into the maxillary sinus.