REPORT OF THE SINUS CONSENSUS CONFERENCE OF 1996

Retrospective data from sinus floor augmentation bone grafts were coll ected from 38 surgeons for 1007 sinus grafts that involved the placeme nt of 2997 implants over a 10-year period, with the majority of the im plants followed for 3 years or more postrestoration. There were 229 im plant failures reported. Various root-form implants and grafting modal ities were used. A consensus conference was organized to evaluate the data and reach a consensus on optimal treatment protocols. The complet e database demonstrated a 90.0% success rate for implants placed in si nus grafts with at least 3 years of function. Differences in grafting materials, implant surfaces, and timing protocols were statistically a nalyzed. However, the database was so multivariate and multifactorial that it was difficult to draw definitive conclusions; these must await controlled prospective studies. The consensus conference therefore de veloped and voted on multiple consensus statements derived by committe e review for bone graft materials, type of implants, timing for implan t placement, failure analysis, radiographic analysis, indications/cont raindications, prosthetics, and nomenclature. Several consensus statem ents were obtained, the most significant being that the sinus graft sh ould now be considered a highly predictable and effective therapeutic modality.