The influence of remaining alveolar bone upon lateral window sinus augmentation implant survival.

Background of Problems: Sinus augmentation is a predictable procedure to increase bone height in the posterior maxilla to facilitate ideal implant placement. However, the effect of residual alveolar bone height upon overall implant success remains unclear. Aims: Hence, the objective of this study was to review and evaluate the correlation between amount of remaining crest alveolar bone before sinus augmentation and implant survival rate in grafted areas. Materials: Medline search was used to identify articles published through September 2006, with preset selection criteria. Results: A total of 156 peer-reviewed publications were selected. Eighteen publications fulfilled the selection criteria. Despite the great heterogeneity found among the selected studies, we were able to group the selected articles in 2 distinct groups and show average implant survival rate in the following residual bone categories: (1) <5 mm: 96% (80%-100%); and (2) >4 mm 99% (97%-100%). Conclusion: The data reviewed from the literature suggests a higher implant survival predictability as available residual bone increases. However, prospective studies with adequate sample size and control of confounding factors are needed to validate this observation. (Implant Dent 2009;18:402-412)