BONE AUGMENTATION IN IMPLANT DENTISTRY; COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF LATERAL WINDOW VERSUS CRESTAL APPROACH FOR MAXILLARY SINUS FLOOR AUGMENTATION — A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

REXHEPI, Armend and BEXHETI-REXHEPI, Jeta and FERATI, Kenan and ÇERKEZI, Sabetim and FERATI, Amar (2026) BONE AUGMENTATION IN IMPLANT DENTISTRY; COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF LATERAL WINDOW VERSUS CRESTAL APPROACH FOR MAXILLARY SINUS FLOOR AUGMENTATION — A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. In: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “FROM RESEARCH TO APPLICATION”, 20 May, 2026.

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Abstract

Insufficient bone volume in the posterior maxilla remains one of the principal challenges in implant dentistry. Progressive alveolar bone resorption and maxillary sinus pneumatization frequently compromise implant placement, necessitating sinus floor augmentation procedures. The lateral window and crestal (transcrestal) approaches are the most commonly utilized surgical techniques for maxillary sinus augmentation. Despite their high clinical success rates, controversy persists regarding indications, surgical morbidity, implant survival, and complication rates between these methods. The purpose of this systematic review was to comparatively evaluate the lateral window and crestal approaches for maxillary sinus floor augmentation in implant dentistry, focusing on implant survival, bone gain, surgical complications, postoperative morbidity, and long-term clinical outcomes. An electronic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases was conducted for articles published between January 2020 and March 2026. Thirty-six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The lateral window approach demonstrated superior vertical bone augmentation in severely atrophic maxillae with residual bone height below 5 mm, achieving implant survival rates between 92% and 98%. The crestal approach showed lower postoperative morbidity, reduced surgical trauma, and shorter healing time, with implant survival rates ranging from 94% to 99% in moderately resorbed posterior maxillae. Membrane perforation represented the most common complication and was more frequently associated with the lateral approach. Both techniques are clinically predictable and highly successful when appropriately indicated. The lateral window technique remains the gold standard in severe maxillary atrophy requiring extensive bone augmentation, whereas the crestal approach offers a minimally invasive alternative with lower patient morbidity in cases with adequate residual bone height. Appropriate case selection and surgical expertise remain fundamental determinants of long- term success. Keywords Bone augmentation; sinus lift; lateral window; crestal approach; dental implants; maxillary sinus augmentation; implant dentistry

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Medicine
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email zshi@unite.edu.mk
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2026 09:44
Last Modified: 24 Sep 2026 09:44
URI: http://eprints.unite.edu.mk/id/eprint/2485

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