Single-tooth prosthetic rehabilitation of the atrophic posterior maxilla following maxillary sinus floor augmentation utilizing the lateral window technique. A European multicenter retrospective chart review

This retrospective multicenter chart review assessed single-tooth rehabilitation following maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) utilizing the lateral window technique across eight European departments between January 1st, 2018, until December 31st, 2023. Intraoperative, early- and late postoperative data from 224 patients (mean age: 53.1 years; mean residual ridge height: 4.4 mm) were analyzed using a standardized computer-assisted database. Implants were placed simultaneously (n = 124) or staged (n = 100) after a mean healing period of 7.9 months. Coagulum or autogenous bone mixed with xenograft were the most used grafting materials. The incidence of Schneiderian membrane perforation was 17.4%. The implant survival was 96.9% and radiographic peri‑implant marginal bone loss was diminutive after a mean period of 25.4 months. There were no predictive parameters for Schneiderian membrane perforation or implant loss, while peri‑implant marginal bone loss was significantly correlated to smoking, omission of pre-operative antibiotics, and grafting materials without autogenous bone (P > 0.05). In conclusion, MSFA utilizing the lateral window technique is a highly predictable surgical procedure for prosthetic rehabilitation of the atrophic posterior maxilla. However, meticulous preoperative assessment of patient-related factors, anatomical variations, sinus pathologies, and surgical risk factors is mandatory to improve the long-term implant outcome.