Techniques and Graft Materials used in Maxillary Sinus Lift Procedure for Dental Implant Placement – A Review

Abstract

Maxillary sinus is one of the first Para-nasal sinuses that develop around the age of twenty (20) with the eruption of the maxillary third molars. It is pyramidal in shape. Pneumatization of the maxillary sinus occurs with time. Tooth loss may lead to loss of bone density, atrophy of bone and further pneumatization of the maxillary sinus leading to insufficient quality and quantity of bone for placing implants. Despite lots of literature and research being done, there is no clarity in obtaining consensus regarding the techniques and materials used in maxillary sinus lift procedures. This article reviews the various techniques and bone graft materials used in maxillary sinus lift procedures. The techniques include lateral window approach, hydraulic sinus lift technique, Piezoelectric Surgery technique,  Transcrestal Approach, Osteotome Technique, and Balloon elevation technique. It can be concluded that the balloon antral elevation and Hydraulic Sinus Lift techniques are more efficient techniques for maxillary sinus lift procedures. These techniques are known to result in less perforations, less chair-side time, comparatively easier, and the need for elaborate instrumentation is minimized. It can also markedly increase the success rates of implants in contrast to the conventional techniques which pose greater risks to the patient, more soft tissue trauma, more chair-side time and can expose patients to infections.