The Relationship between the Maxillary Sinus and Dental Root Apices Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

The maxillary sinus is an essential anatomical structure in close relation to maxillary teeth roots. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anatomic proximity of the maxillary posterior roots' apices to the maxillary sinus floor using cone-beam CT in a population attending King Saud University. Materials and methods: CBCT images for patients attending the dental school of king Saud university were screened, and images containing maxillary sinuses were evaluated. The relation between teeth roots and sinus floor was divided into Root tips penetrating the sinus (In the sinus, Type 1), Root tips in contact with the sinus floor (On the sinus, Type 2), and Root tips below the sinus floor (Type 3). Results: around 288 scans were included. The average age was 40.63 +/- 6.53. Root tips contacting the sinus floor (root on the sinus) formulated the largest category (45.1%). A strong correlation was found between all age groups and root relation to sinus (p<0.000), with most roots penetrating the sinus belongs to younger patients. Around (41.7%) of molar roots were in direct contact with the sinus floor (on the sinus), while 50% of premolar roots had no relation to the sinus floor. Conclusion: Molar roots appear closer to the sinus floor than premolars, with age appearing to influence the root relation to the sinus.