Dental implants after the use of bichat's buccal fat pad for the sealing of oro-antral communications. A case report and literature review

Oro-antral communications are frequent complications in oral surgery, and generally occur after molar extractions, maxillary sinus elevations or dental implant procedures. The presence of these defects may increase the morbidity and often need a surgical approach. The present report describes an oro-antral communication in a 52-year-old female who presented a 2 week-course of painless nasal obstruction and rhinorrea after a right maxillary sinus floor elevationwith simultaneous dental implant placement. Based on the anamnesis, clinical examination and a computed tomographyof the paranasal sinuses, a diagnosis of odontogenic rhinosinusitis associated with a 1.5 cm diameter oro-antral communicationwas establishedand its surgical closure using Bichat's buccal fat pad was planned.After 15 months, the patient was successfully rehabilitated with an implant-supported 3 unit fixed partial denture. Key words:Dental implants, buccal fat pad, oro-antral communications.