Long-term outcomes of the implants accidentally protruding into nasal cavity extended to posterior maxilla due to inferior meatus pneumatization

Abstract

Background: There is limited information about inferior meatus pneumatization in terms of implant treatment for the posterior maxilla.

Purpose: To demonstrate the clinical, radiologic, and nasal endoscopic outcomes of implants accidentally protruding into the nasal cavities with inferior meatus pneumatization in the posterior maxilla.

Materials and methods: A total of 560 implants (324 patients) with transcrestal sinus augmentation in the posterior maxilla were screened. On panoramic radiographs, 132 implants (78 patients) appear to penetrate the sinus floor, but cone-beam computed tomography demonstrated that 26 implants (13 patients) penetrated the nasal floor due to inferior meatus pneumatization. Width of nasal and sinus cavities and extent of penetration were radiographically measured. Nasal endoscopy was performed.

Results: Two implants were lost during 13.81 ± 5.40 years due to peri-implantitis. However, no nasosinusal problem occurred in any patient. The nasal cavity was significantly larger in patients with implants penetrating the pneumatized inferior meatus than in those with implants penetrating the sinus floor (P< .05). Nasal endoscopy demonstrated that the apical portion of the implants was covered with thin mucosa without inflammation.

Conclusion: Implants accidentally penetrating the pneumatized inferior meatus demonstrated high survival with no specific nasosinusal complications. Inferior meatus pneumatization should be considered for implant treatment in the posterior maxilla.

Keywords: dental implant; inferior meatus pneumatization; nasal endoscopy; sinus augmentation.