Incidence of Maxillary Sinus Disorders in Dental Patients Undergoing Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was quickly adopted in dentistry settings due to its compact size, low cost, and minimal ionizing radiation dose when compared to medical computed tomography. CBCT generates three-dimensional (3D) images that are useful in a variety of oral and maxillofacial circumstances, including diagnosis and assessment of disease severity, treatment planning and delivery, and follow-up. A significant advantage of CBCT lies in its capability to recognize incidental findings. In the realm of dental CBCT imaging, incidental findings often involve the maxillary sinuses, temporomandibular joints, or other craniofacial structures. Objective To demonstrate the incidental findings of maxillary sinus disorders in dental patients undergoing CBCTfor numerous indications. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out using data extracted from the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)of Pure Smile Dental Center and Dental College Teaching Hospitals in the Jazan regionfrom September to December 2022. The study sample included a total of 70 patients who underwent orthodontics CBCT, most of whom were female(76%). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA), along with descriptive statistics. Furthermore, chi-square tests and cross-tabulation were done to assess the relation between the study variables. A p-value <0.01 and <0.05was considered statistically significant. Results The most common dental CBCT findings were root invasion (18.6%), followed by gingivitis (7.14%), and dental caries (4.29%). Of the 70 patients, 42 (60%) had maxillary sinus findings, including opacification (50%), sinusitis (40%), mucosal thickening (34.3%), and polyps (7.1%). Female patients had more frequency of incidental findings related to males (41.43% and 18.57%, respectively). Conclusion A high percentage of dental patients exhibited incidental maxillary sinus findings in CBCT scans, confirming the utility of CBCT as a precise imaging method for detecting paranasal sinus disorders. A holistic documentation of incidental findings is crucial for improving patient outcomes and treatment plans.