Comparative study of the sinus septa between dentulous and edentulous patients by cone beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to conduct radiographic comparison of maxillary septa in dentulous and edentulous patients using 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November- 2008 to August 2010, the CBCT of full dentulous 100 patients was conducted randomly at the Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Dental Hospital. Septa in the maxillary sinus were analyzed. Also, CBCT of 51 patients with partial or full edentulous dentition on maxillary posterior area was obtained. The height of the maxillary sinus septa was measured from the sinus floor, the location divided by the anterior, middle, and posterior portion, and the direction was determined to be the buccopalatal, sagittal, and transverse course.

RESULTS: In dentulous patients, sinus septa were found in 27% with 6.01 ± 2.21 mm mean height. The mean age of these patients was 24 years and 9 months, and most septa were found in anterior portion with a buccopalatal course. In cases of edentulous patients, the prevalence of edentulous patients with septa was 25.8% with 5.30 ± 1.90 mm mean height. The mean age of the patients was 63 years and 4 months, and most of septa were in the middle portion with a buccopalatal direction.

CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the prevalence, incidence, height, location, and direction of maxillary sinus septa between dentulous and edentulous patients (P > 0.05).