Age-Related Alteration in the Lateral Wall Thickness of the Maxillary Sinus in Partially or Completely Edentulous Posterior Maxilla: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study

Osteotomy of the lateral wall in the lateral window approach for sinus floor elevation carries the risk of perforating the Schneiderian membrane. In this regard, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between age and lateral wall thickness (LWT) of the maxillary sinuses in patients with posterior edentulism.

A total of 311-cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans are analyzed. To measure the lateral sinus, the deepest point in the maxillary sinus floor is selected, a tangent line is drawn to this point, and another line is drawn perpendicular to the previous line. On the latter line, three points are marked at 3, 7, and 10 mm distance from the sinus floor and three lines are drawn passing through these points parallel to the tangent line. The thickness of the lateral sinus wall is measured on these lines. LWT of males and females is compared in different age groups and patients with complete or partial edentulism. The collected data are analyzed using the one-way ANOVA, Scheffe’s test, t-test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

There is a significant relationship between age and LWT of the maxillary sinuses. It is so that the LWT decreases as the age increases (P < 0.001). Also, the wall thickness of patients with complete and partial edentulism is significantly different (P < 0.05). There is no significant difference regarding gender (P > 0.05).

Age and edentulism type affect the LWT of the maxillary sinuses.