Lateral trap-door window approach with maxillary sinus membrane lifting for dental implant placement in atrophied edentulous alveolar ridge

One of the most challenging and technically sensitive surgical procedures in conjunction with dental implant rehabilitation is sinus membrane lifting to increase the bone height or volume from the maxillary sinus floor. This important preprosthetic surgical technique has been available for >15 years, making possible the creation of bone volume in the edentulous posterior maxilla for the placement of dental implants in surgically compromised cases. Substantial literature exists regarding the most efficacious way to increase the predictability of this surgical procedure, and reduce its associated complications. In this article, we describe the regional anatomy of the maxillary sinus, the evolution of the sinus membrane lifting procedure, the current surgical technique, its survival rate and associated complications, the need for bone graft or bone substitutes, and current advances in the lateral approach through a trap-door window for sinus membrane lifting for dental implants.