Distance from maxillary molar root apices to the maxillary sinus floor on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and its association with age and gender
Main Article Content
Abstract
The study determined the distance from the apices of maxillary molar roots to the maxillary sinus floor on CBCT images and evaluated its association with age and. This retrospective cross-sectional study included 40 patients (55.0% male, 45.0% female) with all four maxillary molars present (teeth 16, 17, 26, and 27); 69 records were screened and 40 met the inclusion criteria. According to the dataset, the < 35-years old group comprised 21 patients (52.5%) and the ≥ 35-years old group comprised 19 patients (47.5%). A total of 480 measurements were obtained (12 measurements per patient: mesiobuccal [MB], distobuccal [DB], and palatal [P] roots of teeth 16, 17, 26, and 27). The perpendicular distance from each root apex to the nearest point of the sinus floor was measured on CBCT using InVivo5/Romexis. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model (adjusted for age/gender/ patient as a random effect), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results showed that the root apex–sinus floor distance varied by root position. For both the first (R6) and second (R7) maxillary molars, the MB root was closest to the sinus floor (R6: 0.33 ± 1.52 mm; R7: 0.52 ± 1.23 mm), whereas the palatal root was farthest (R6: 1.75 ± 1.11 mm; R7: 1.99 ± 1.15 mm). Age-group comparison indicated a significantly shorter distance in the ≥ 35-years old group at the MB root of the second maxillary molar (R7) (β = -0.71 mm; 95% CI: -1.27 to -0.15; p = 0.013), while other sites showed no significant difference. No significant gender-related differences was observed at any site (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the root apex-sinus floor distance depends on root position, with the MB root being the closest. Age is associated with a reduced distance at the MB root of the second maxillary molar, whereas gender has no significant effect. CBCT is valuable for risk assessment and treatment planning for posterior maxillary procedures.
Article Details
Keywords
Maxillary sinus, CBCT, maxillary molars, root apex-sinus floor distance
References
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