MAXILLARY SINUS FUNCTION AFTER SINUS LIFTS FOR THE INSERTION OF DENTAL IMPLANTS

Purpose: The influence of bone augmentation of the floor of the maxill ary sinus for the insertion of denial implants on sinus function has n ot been well investigated, In this study, the influence of the sinus l ift on the development of maxillary sinus pathology was evaluated usin g generally accepted diagnostic criteria, Material and Methods: A grou p of 45 patients in whom a sinus lift procedure had been performed wer e evaluated for sinus pathology 12 to 60 months after bone transplanta tion and implant insertion, using a questionnaire, conventional radiog raphic examination, and nasoendoscopy, Results: Postoperative maxillar y sinusitis was detected in two of five patients with a predisposition for sinusitis, but in none of the other 40 patients. The occurrence o f iatrogenic sinus membrane perforations during surgery was not. relat ed to the development of postoperative sinusitis in patients with heal ty sinuses, Conclusion: The occurrence of postoperative chronic sinusi tis appears to be limited to patients with a predisposition for this c ondition. These predisposing factors need to be considered when evalua ting patients for sinus lift procedures.