Implant survival in augmented maxillary sinus is more variable than that of implants placed in posterior maxilla

Abstract

Data sources Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline and Embase were searched to April 2004. Key journals were hand searched to April 2004, together with bibliographies of all retrieved papers and review articles.Study selection For inclusion, an article had to satisfy the following criteria: studies had to be controlled trials comparing implant placement in the non-augmented posterior maxilla with the augmented maxillary areas; study groups with at least 20 patients; number of implants and duration of follow-up were reported. The outcome measures were implant survival, changes in radiographic peri-implant bone height and complications. Unloaded implants were excluded.Data extraction and synthesis The methodological quality of included studies was assessed evaluating blinding of the examiners and completeness of follow-up. All quality assessments were conducted in duplicate and independently. Data were synthesised in evidence tables and range of survival data and types of complications were summarised. Data were stratified for patients or implant-based analysis. Decisions on possible meta-analysis were made on the similarity between the studies.Results The search identified 579 articles, of which six (five studies) met the inclusion criteria. Implant survival ranged from 73 to 100% for nonaugmented sinuses and from 36 to 100% for augmented sinuses in patient-based data. From implant-based data, survival varied between 75 and 100% for both nonaugmented and augmented areas. Heterogeneity of the studies prevented meta-analysis.Conclusions Implant survival appears to show greater variability in grafted sinuses than in the posterior maxilla. However, well-designed prospective studies with larger patient numbers and control of confounding factors are urgently needed. © 2005 EBD.