Revisiting major anatomical risk factors of maxillary sinus lift and soft tissue graft harvesting for dental implant surgeons

Surg Radiol Anat. 2020 Sep;42(9):1025-1031. doi: 10.1007/s00276-020-02468-w. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Abstract

The anatomical variations of the maxillary sinus septa, greater palatine artery, and posterior superior alveolar arteries might cause unexpected complications when they are damaged. Dentists who know these structures well might hope to learn more practical knowledge to avoid and assess injury preoperatively. Therefore, this review paper aimed to review the reported anatomy and variations of the maxillary sinus septa, greater palatine artery/nerve, and posterior superior alveolar artery, and to discuss what has to be assessed preoperatively to avoid iatrogenic injury. To assess the risk of injury of surgically significant anatomical structures in the maxillary sinus and hard palate, the operator should have preoperative three-dimensional images in their mind based on anatomical knowledge and palpation. Additionally, knowledge of the average measurement results from previous studies is important.

Keywords: Bleeding; Complications; Dental implants; Greater palatine foramen; Maxillary sinus; Maxillary sinus augmentation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anatomic Variation*
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
  • Dental Implantation, Endosseous / adverse effects*
  • Dental Implantation, Endosseous / methods
  • Gingiva / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Intraoperative Complications / etiology
  • Intraoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Maxillary Artery / anatomy & histology
  • Maxillary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Maxillary Artery / injuries
  • Maxillary Nerve / anatomy & histology
  • Maxillary Nerve / diagnostic imaging
  • Maxillary Nerve / injuries
  • Maxillary Sinus / abnormalities*
  • Maxillary Sinus / diagnostic imaging
  • Maxillary Sinus / surgery
  • Osteotomy, Le Fort / adverse effects
  • Palate, Hard / blood supply
  • Palate, Hard / diagnostic imaging
  • Palate, Hard / innervation
  • Risk Factors
  • Sinus Floor Augmentation / adverse effects
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / adverse effects