Transnasal Endoscopic Removal of Dental Implants from the Maxillary Sinus

Purpose: The penetration of dental implants into the maxillary sinus is becoming more common as a result of the use of new techniques to rehabilitate edentulous jaws. This complication requires the removal of the foreign body, even in asymptomatic patients, to prevent inflammatory disease. This article reports the authors' experience with the surgical removal of dental implants from the maxillary sinus with an endoscopic approach via middle meatotomy. Materials and Methods: A 10-year (2001 to 2011) retrospective analysis was performed in the authors' departments to identify all patients who underwent endoscopic removal of a dental implant from the maxillary sinus. Results: Sixteen patients (seven women and nine men, mean age 50.7 years) underwent endoscopic removal of the implant from the maxillary sinus via a middle meatotomy. Seven patients (43.8%) received general anesthesia for the surgery, and nine (56.2%) were treated with local anesthesia. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. The mean follow-up period was 62 months. Conclusion: In the authors' experience, endoscopic transnasal removal of dental implants from the maxillary sinus via a middle meatotomy is a successful, rapid, safe, and minimally invasive procedure.