ASSESSMENT OF BONE MORPHOLOGY AND STATUS OF MAXILLARY SINUS IN THE POSTERIOR MAXILLA: THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS FOR IMPLANT THERAPY

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess morphologic features of alveolar bone supporting maxillary premolars and molars and to determine the relationship between maxillary sinus and teeth using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Material and Methods: In CBCT scans of 100 patients, the thickness of both trabecular bone and cortical plates surrounding 652 posterior teeth were measured and the relationship between teeth and maxillary sinus was classified. Also, the angle between the teeth and the alveolar crest was measured.Results: Of the teeth examined, 25 % were in contact with the inferior wall of maxillary sinus, 12% had penetrated the sinus and 63 % were far away from maxillary sinus. The closest root to the maxillary sinus floor was mesiobuccally root of second molar teeth with 1.3 mm distance. The teeth which had thinnest bone configuration were maxillary first premolars. There were no significant differences for measurements between sides and gender (p>005). Buccal bone thickness and distance to the maxillary sinus floor showed a negative correlation in molars (p˂0.001 and 0.003).Conclusion: In order to prevent possible complications, a three-dimensional analysis of the posterior maxilla and maxillary sinus is required before implant procedures to be performed on the maxillary posterior region.