Evaluation of maxillary sinus width on cone-beam computed tomography for sinus augmentation and new sinus...

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Lateral window sinus augmentation is a common procedure for maxillary atrophy.
• Sinus morphology, specifically sinus width (SW), can influence surgical difficulty.
• A standardized classification for sinus anatomy is needed to predict surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure sinus width (SW) at different vertical levels relevant to lateral window sinus augmentation.
• To develop a novel classification system for maxillary sinus morphology based on SW measurements.
• To correlate SW with residual ridge height (RH) and anatomical site.

Main Methods:

• Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of edentulous sites with inadequate ridge height (<10 mm) were analyzed.
• Sinus width (SW) was measured at 5, 7, 10, 13, and 15 mm from the alveolar crest.
• SW was stratified by residual ridge height (RH), study site (premolars, molars), and measurement level.

Main Results:

• Mean SW varied significantly with molar sites, higher measurement levels, and lower residual RH.
• At the lower boundary of lateral window osteotomy, mean SW was 9.0 mm; at the upper boundary, it was 16.0 mm.
• A classification system defined narrow, average, and wide sinuses based on SW thresholds at both boundaries.

Conclusions:

• Sinus width (SW) measurements at relevant surgical levels were established.
• The proposed sinus classification can improve communication and guide the selection of surgical approaches and grafting materials.
• Further research is needed to validate the clinical utility of this new classification system.