Lateral and crestal bone planing antrostomy: A simplified surgical procedure to reduce the incidence of membrane perforation during maxillary sinus augmentation procedures

This clinical report presents a simplified surgical procedure for accessing the maxillary sinus antrum via lateral and crestal approaches, which reduces the potential for sinus membrane perforation and subsequent complications when graft materials and dental implants are placed into the sinus. Due to visual limitations, perforations and associated complications can jeopardize the success rate of the graft and the implants. While there is a lack of clinical data, clinical observations suggest that the procedure, described by the authors as lateral/crestal bone planing antrostomy, can reduce the possibility of perforation of the maxillary sinus membrane during the lateral and crestal approaches to the grafting of the maxillary sinus floor. The technique involves the use of specially designed rotary instruments that plane away the bone in thinner layers, with less chance of excess bone removal and membrane perforation. (J Prosthet Dent 2011;105:147-153)