Implant survival rates after maxillary sinus augmentation

Implant therapy in the atrophic posterior maxilla becomes challenging in the presence of reduced maxillary bone height. Sinus augmentation can be performed for resolving this condition prior to implant placement. The aim of this article was therefore to evaluate implant survival rates in the grafted sinus taking into account the influence of the implant surface, graft material, and implant placement timing. A systematic review of the literature was performed. Articles retrieved from electronic databases were screened using specific inclusion criteria, and data extracted were divided according to: graft material (autogenous, non-autogenous, composite graft), implant surface (machined or textured), and implant placement (simultaneous with grafting or delayed). Fifty-nine articles were included. Survival rates for implants placed in grafts made of bone substitutes alone and grafts of composite material were slightly better than the survival rates for implants placed in 100% autogenous grafts. Over 90% of implants associated with non-autogenous grafts had a textured surface. Textured surfaces achieved better outcomes compared with machined surfaces, and this was independent of the graft material. Simultaneous and delayed procedures had similar outcomes. It may be concluded that bone substitutes can be successfully used for sinus augmentation, reducing donor-site morbidity. Long-term studies are needed to confirm the performance of non-autogenous grafts. The use of implants with a textured surface may improve the outcome in any graft type.