Radiographic evaluation of the anatomical relationship of maxillary sinus floor with maxillary posterior teeth apices in the population of Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, using cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

Background & objectiveIn current clinical dental practice radiographic imaging plays a major role in exploring the relationship between the maxillary sinus floor (MSF) and maxillary posterior teeth root apices, especially when there is an involvement of pathology in the periapical area that may lead to infectious, inflammatory or traumatic changes in the maxillary sinus (MS). It is also essential for exact implant placement, and therapeutic and surgical plans. The prevalence of different forms of anatomic relationship of the MSF to posterior root apices from one population to another is large. Hence the current research was conceived to evaluate the horizontal and vertical relationship forms of posterior root apices to the MSF in the Al-Qassim population of Saudi Arabia using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Materials and methodsTo conduct the study, a total of 200 patients' data (100 male and 100 female) were taken from the archives. The linear distances of the root apices to the MSF were measured for maxillary posterior teeth. On cross-sectional CBCT images, the Kwak et al. criteria were used to assess the horizontal and vertical relationships between the root apices of maxillary posterior teeth and the MSF. ResultsThe mean distance between the apices of the maxillary second premolar ranged from 4.63 mm to 6.49 mm. The mean value of the distance between the apices of the posterior teeth and the MSF had a range of 0.68 ± 0.39 mm on the disto-buccal root (DBR) of the maxillary right second molar to 3.93 ± 1.26 mm on the palatal root (PR) of the maxillary left first molar. A similar result was observed in the maxillary second molar DBR in the male group (0.68 ± 1.17 mm) and the female group (0.69 ± 1.17 mm). The most frequently observed vertical relations were type 2 and type 2H horizontal relations. ConclusionThis study concludes that maxillary molar roots show greater proximity with the MSF when compared with premolars, and that the type 2 vertical and type 2H horizontal distribution suggests that the anatomy of each tooth and the maxillary sinus floor should be evaluated by CBCT prior to treatment planning.