Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in marginal bone level (MBL) and survival rates of implants (ISR) placed in lateral-window sinus floor elevation (LSFE) sites compared to other sites.
Method and Materials. Patient with a history of LSFE and following implant placement were identified. Clinical and radiographic data was collected by 2 calibrated examiners and divided into three cohorts for the analysis, including (1) implants placed in the LSFE-grafted sinus, (2) implants placed in the maxilla at sites other than grafted sinus, and (3) implants placed in the mandible. ISR and MBL were recorded and calculated. The potential influences of several host, implant, and surgically related factors on ISR and MBL were analyzed using generalized estimating equations.
Results: 427 implants from 99 patients (63.8 ±12.5 years) with an average follow-up period of 32.3 ±29.2 months were analyzed. The cumulative ISR at the grafted sinuses was 93.63%. Mean MBL was 0.44 ± 0.79 mm, 0.84 ±1.21 mm, and 0.85 ±1.16 mm for implants in group 1 (n= 142), group 2 (n=129), and group 3 (n=147) (p=0.01). The majority of MBL occurred within the first 12 months after implant placement. The status of smoking and periodontal disease did not impact ISR or MBL for any group (P>0.05). Neither sinus membrane perforation (SMP) or grafting materials affected MBL (P>0.05) in group 1.
Conclusion: The utilization of LSFE and the presence of SMP during LSFE had no negative impact on implant outcomes.