Morphometries of the Maxillary Sinus in Koreans

Yoon, Hae Rym; Han, Seung Ho; Park, Chang Seo; Kim, Ki Deog; Kang, Min Kyu; Hu, Kyung Seok; Kwak, Hyun Ho; Park, Hyun Do; Koh, Ki Seok; Kim, Hee Jin

Abstract

The anatomical description and the relationship between the root apex and the inferior wall of sinus are critical in diagnoses and surgeries of the sinus pathoses, and in dental implantation. So, identification of the proximity between the root apex and the inferior wall of sinus and the clarification of cortical thickness of inferior wall of sinus are indicated the topography of spreading dental infection into the maxillary sinus. Therefore, anatomical knowledge of the topography between the root apex and the inferior wall maxillary sinus are important in the diagnosis and treatment planning of the dental implantation, endodontic procedures, and orthodontic treatment. The purposes of this study were 1) to clarify the morphological and clinical characteristics of the maxillary sinus, especially the inferior wall of sinus in Korean, 2) to identify the relationship between the inferior wall of maxillary sinus and the roots of maxillary teeth, and 3) to evaluate the degree of accuracy of DentaScan reformatted images of the maxillary sinus. 33 sides of maxillae of the hemi -sectioned Korean heads were used in this study. All specimens were taken periapical radiographs, computed tomography and DentaScan reformatted cross -sectional images were taken for the radiographic evaluation of the maxillary teeth and inferior wall of maxillary sinus. From the CT images, 3 -dimentional reconstructive images of maxillary sinuses were made using the V -works TM 3.0 program. All specimens were decalcificated and then were sectioned coronally. On the sectioned specimen, 21 metric items were measured using the image analyzing system. The results were as follows: 1. In 6 categories of maxillary sinus according to their lateral aspects and shapes of the inferior walls, flat (54.5%) and round (21.2%) inferior wall of maxillary sinus were prominent. In 58.4%, the anterior limit of maxillary sinus was located in the 1st premolar area and the posterior limit was in the 3rd molar and maxillary tuberosity area (93.9%). The lowest level of the maxillary sinus was in the 1st molar and 2nd molar area. 2. From the 3 -dimentional reconstructive images of maxillary sinus, the maximum anteroposterior length of sinus was 39.3 +/-4.2 mm, the maximum height was 37.1 +/-5.6 mm, and the maximum width was 32.6 +/-6.5 mm. And the average volume of sinus was 15.1 +/-6.2 ml. All measurements were larger in male than female. Taken all together, this study demonstrated various anatomical characteristics and relationships between the maxillary sinus and their surrounding structures. Recognition of these findings may have an impact on the clinical management of patients.