Proximity of healthy posterior teeth to the maxillary sinus floor in relation to mucosal thickening: a CBCT study

To evaluate the relationship between proximity of the root apices of healthy maxillary posterior teeth to the maxillary sinus floor (MSF) and mucosal thickening (MT) of the MSF using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Eighty-four CBCT images obtained from the patients, aged between 20 and 70 years with healthy and fully dentate maxillary posterior sextants, were included. The anatomical relationship between root apices of maxillary posterior teeth and MSF, was evaluated: (Type 1: no contact, Type 2: at least one root apex in contact, Type 3: at least one root apex protruding into MSF). Besides, MT of the MSF was measured from the thickest region. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the absence (≤ 2 mm) or the presence (2 < mm) of MT. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05.

Intraexaminer consistency demonstrated an excellent agreement (p < 0.05). The prevalence of Type 1, 2, and 3 proximity were found as 26 (15.5%), 61 (36.3%), and 81 (48.2%); respectively. Overall, 62 (36.9%) maxillary sinuses demonstrated MT (2 < mm, mean: 8.6 ± 7.5 mm). The prevalence and mean values of MT (2 < mm) were not found to be statistically significantly different in terms of sex and proximity types (p > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis results were not found to be statistically significant (p > 0.05).

The proximity of healthy maxillary posterior teeth to the MSF was not found to be a contributing factor for the MT of the MSF. Further studies with larger samples, taking the other factors causing MT into consideration, are needed.