Comparison of Pathologic Changes in the Maxillary Sinus Before and After Dental Implant Surgery Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

This article focuses on evaluating pathologic changes in the maxillary sinus before and after dental implant surgery, with or without sinus lifting, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The study analyzed 50 maxillary sinuses in 28 patients, classifying sinus pathologies as mucosal thickening (MT), mucus retention cyst (MRC), polyp, or sinusitis, and assessed changes postoperatively. Results showed that sinuses healthy before implant placement generally remained stable, while those with preexisting pathology exhibited significant changes, either improvement or worsening, though no significant difference was found among surgical procedures (implant alone, indirect sinus lift, direct sinus lift). Additionally, direct sinus lifting resulted in significantly greater bone gain compared to indirect sinus lifting. The study concludes that implant surgery and sinus lifting can directly affect maxillary sinus pathology, highlighting the importance of preoperative CBCT imaging and recommending further long-term research to clarify these relationships.