Maxillary sinus septa: prevalence, height, location, and morphology. A reformatted computed tomography scan analysis
Min-Jung Kim1, Ui-Won Jung, Chang-Sung Kim
1Department of Periodontology, Research Institute for Periodontal Regeneration, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Journal of Periodontology
|May 5, 2006
Summary
Maxillary sinus septa, bony ridges within the sinus, vary widely in prevalence, size, and location. Understanding these anatomical variations is crucial for successful sinus lift procedures and avoiding surgical complications.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Dental Implantology
- Anatomical Studies
Background:
- Sinus lift procedures can be complicated by aberrant maxillary sinus anatomy, such as septa on the sinus floor.
- Maxillary sinus septa can pose challenges during surgical interventions like sinus augmentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence, size, location, and morphology of maxillary sinus septa.
- To analyze septa in both atrophic/edentulous and non-atrophic/dentate maxillary segments.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of reformatted computerized tomograms (CT) from 200 maxillary sinuses in 100 patients.
- Evaluation of anatomical variations using specialized imaging software.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of one or more septa was 26.5% overall, with variations between atrophic (31.76%) and non-atrophic (22.61%) segments.
- Septa were predominantly located in the middle region (50.8%), followed by anterior (25.4%) and posterior (23.7%) areas.
- Mean septal heights varied significantly by location, ranging from 1.63 mm (lateral) to 5.46 mm (medial).
Conclusions:
- Maxillary sinus septa exhibit significant anatomical variability in prevalence, size, and location, independent of maxillary atrophy.
- A comprehensive understanding of maxillary sinus anatomy, including septa, is essential for preventing complications during sinus augmentation procedures.
