Purpose: To investigate the influence of maxillary molars on the thickening of maxillary sinus mucosa by cone-beam CT (CBCT).
Methods: A total of 72 patients with periodontitis were included in the study and 137 cases of maxillary sinus were evaluated using CBCT for the following parameters: location, tooth, maximal mucosal thickness, alveolar bone loss, vertical intrabony pockets and minimal residual bone height. The maxillary sinus mucosal thickness ≥2 mm was defined as mucosal thickening. The parameters that could influence the dimensions of the maxillary sinus membrane were assessed. The data were analyzed using univariate analysis and binary logistic regression by SPSS 25.0 software package.
Results: Mucosal thickening was present in 56.2% of 137 cases and increased in frequency as the alveolar bone loss of the corresponding molar progressed from mild (21.1%) to moderate (56.1%) to severe (69.2%), and the risk of maxillary sinus mucosal thickening increased by 6-7 times (moderate OR=7.13, 95%CI: 1.37-37.21; severe OR=6.29, 95%CI: 1.06-37.37). The severity of vertical intrabony pockets was correlated with the presence of mucosal thickness (no intrabony pockets 38.7%; type Ⅰ 63.4%; type Ⅱ 79.4%), with an increased risk of maxillary sinus mucosal thickening (type Ⅰ OR=3.72, 95%CI: 1.01-13.70; type Ⅱ OR=5.39, 95%CI: 1.15-25.30). The minimal residual bone height was negatively correlated with the presence of mucosal thickness(≤4 mm OR=99.00, 95%CI: 17.42-562.79).
Conclusions: Alveolar bone loss, vertical intrabony pockets and the minimal residual bone height in maxillary molars were significantly associated with mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinus.