Risk factors, Consequences and Treatment Alternatives of Schneiderian Membrane Perforation: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Maxillary sinuses are the greatest sinus cavities in the human cranium and they are the closest to the oral cavity. Thus, perforation of the Schneiderian membrane is a common complication that may be encountered during various oral surgery procedures in the molar and premolar regions of the maxilla such as teeth extractions, implant placement or sinus augmentation procedures. Membrane perforations lead to oroantral communications, which may later turn into oroantral fistulas. Moreover, these perforations may cause infections, loss of graft or implant if encountered during sinus augmentation procedures. The purpose of this review was to determine the risk factors associated with this complication and present the various treatment alternatives used to manage this type of complication. In the literature, the selected surgical technique, the thickness of the sinus membrane, the quality and quantity of the residual alveolar bone, the anatomy of the area and patients’ habits such as smoking were reported as points to be considered. A case of Schneiderian membrane perforation during implant placement and successful management of the complication was also presented.