Is there a difference in frequency and type of maxillary sinus septa between dentate and edentulous posterior maxillae?

Abstract

Background and Objectives: To evaluate and compare the frequency, type and origin of maxillary sinus septa in patients with a dentate and an edentulous posterior maxilla using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Methods: The study included 100 maxillary sinuses – 50 from patients with a dentate and 50 from patients with an edentulous posterior maxilla – to evaluate the frequency, morphology and location of maxillary sinus septa in axial, sagittal and coronal CBCT images. Differences regarding age, gender, side, septa location and type of dentition (dentate/edentulous posterior maxilla) were analysed. Findings: The mean age of the patients was 58.3 years. A total of 60 sinus septa were found in exactly half of the evaluated sinuses. Most of the septa were located on the floor of the maxillary sinus (n = 34; 56.7%). Of these, the majority was found in the region of the second maxillary molars (n = 27; 79.4%). Regarding the distribution of sinus septa, septa were present in 26 (52%) dentate and in 24 (48%) edentulous regions. Thus, for a potential influence of the status of the dentition in the posterior maxilla on the frequency of sinus septa, no significant impact was found (P = 0.69). Conclusions: Sinus septa are equally often found in patients with a dentate and an edentulous posterior maxilla. As sinus septa are reported to be an important reason for surgical complications during sinus floor elevation procedures, a three-dimensional radiographic examination using CBCT prior to surgery might be helpful for diagnosis and treatment planning. Copyright © 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.