Accidental migration of a dental implant into the ethmoid sinus following a transalveolar sinus elevation procedure.

BACKGROUND

Migration of a dental implant into the paranasal sinuses may be the result of sinus membrane perforation, loss of osseointegration, and lack of initial stability. The majority of displaced implants migrate into the maxillary sinus, which may cause sinusitis.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to report an extremely rare ethmoid sinus migration of a dental implant after crestal approach in a resorbed posterior maxilla.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 60-year old Korean male with a noncontributory medical history was referred from a local clinic to remove the migrated dental implant in the right ethmoid sinus. The patient had symptoms of mild sinusitis. The implant had been placed 6 months earlier through the bone-added transalveolar approach in a severely resorbed maxilla.

RESULTS

The displaced implant was removed through the intraoral approach. A lateral window was made and an endoscopic surgery was performed to remove the implant. Healing was uneventful, and sinusitis symptom had ceased.

CONCLUSION

The crestal approach for severely resorbed posterior maxillae should be performed when there is a potential for primary stability. If bone quality is poor and initial stability cannot be achieved, lateral window sinus elevation procedure is a better option for successful implant placement. Migrated implant may be removed with antrostomy and endoscopic surgery.