Osseointegration of implants in patients with pneumatized maxillary sinuses is difficult to achieve due to the deficiency of available bone in the posterior maxilla after loss of teeth. Maxillary sinus elevation is a method to overcome this problem. In this study, we evaluated the implant survival rate and the relationship between implant survival in patients with sinus elevation by the lateral approach.

A total of 48 patients were consecutively treated with sinus elevation by the lateral approach between February 2003 & August 2006 at the dental hospital of Chonbuk National university. A total of 113 implants were placed. The mean healing period was 7.1 months and implants were placed after a mean period of 5.6 months. The mean observation period was 21.8 months.

Out of the 113 implants placed, fifteen failed, resulting in a survival rate of 86.7%, 18 cases of sinus membrane perforation were observed out of 65 sinuses treated. 33 implants were placed in a perforated site and 10 failed, representing a 60.7% implant survival. 80 implants were placed in a nonperforated site and 5 failed, representing a 92.6% implant survival.

Implant placement with sinus elevation is an acceptable treatment for short term results. Sinus membrane perforation and postoperative complications, however, may have an effect on implant failure.