Maxillary sinus elevation by lateral window approach : evolution of technology and technique

Context: The maxillary sinus elevation procedure has become an important pre-prosthetic surgical procedure for the creation of bone volume in the edentulous posterior maxilla for the placement of dental implants. Research and clinical experience over the past 30 years has increased the predictability of this procedure as well as reduced patient morbidity. Evidence Acquisition: Data on grafting materials and implant survival rates comes from 10 published evidence-based reviews that include all relevant published data from 1980 to 2012. Supporting clinical material comes from the experience of the authors. Evidence synthesis: The evidence-based reviews report and compare the implant survival rates utilizing various grafting materials, implant surfaces, and the use or non-use of barrier membranes over the lateral window. Clinical studies report on complication rates utilizing piezoelectric surgery and compare them to complication rates with rotary instrumentation