Prevalence and location of maxillary sinus septas in an Iranian population using CBCT images in 2015

Abstract

Awareness and knowledge on the anatomical variations of maxillary sinus is very important for surgeons, particularly before procedures such as placement of dental implants or surgery of maxillary sinus lift. The aim of this research is to assess the frequency of maxillary sinus septa position in an Iranian population using, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: 300 persons’ CBCT images in archive of the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Ward in Tabriz Dentistry Faculty were assessed by software NNT viewer ver 2:17 with magnification of 1: 1 in sagittal, coronal and axial sections by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists. Any bony prominence more than 2.5 mm was considered as septa. Presence of septa was registered in the checklist according to the anterior, middle and posterior positions in sinus and in order to examine the dentulos or edentulous areas and the patient s gender.Findings: The comparison of septa presence frequency in the left and right sinuses in total 300 patients showed that frequency of 84.7% septa in the left sinus and 83.7% septa in the right sinus. The comparison of septa position frequency showed that in the left, septa was in anterior position in 36.22% and in the middle in 58.66% and in the posterior position in 47.24% of the images. In the right, it was seen in the anterior position in 24.3%, in the middle position in 52.58% and in the posterior position in 64.94% of the images. In the images that septa was seen in left sinus, 79.9% had complete septa. Also, 35.8% had incomplete septa. In the right sinus images with septa, 33.86% had complete septa and also 84.86% had incomplete septa. There was no significant relationship between frequency findings and position of septa according to the gender. The comparison of the frequency of septa presence according to presence of dentulous and edentulous areas shows that 8.2% of the individuals with edentulous areas in the left had septa and 9.0% with edentulous areas in the right had septa. 91.8% of dentulous individuals in the left had septa and 9.10% of dentulous individuals had septa in the right.Conclusion: According to maxillary sinus septa anatomical variation in relevance to the position and prevalensce, without considering dentulous or edentulous areas, awareness on this issue seems to be necessary particularly for maxillary sinus surgeries in order to prevent probable risks during sinus lift