Maxillary sinuses, multiple aspects to consider prior to bone grafting procedure: a retrospective study in a sample of a Palestinian population.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze various anatomical aspects of the maxillary sinuses on CBCT volumes, mainly, the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA), and to compare its visibility on CBCT vs. panoramic radiographs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective radiographic analysis was conducted on 120 patients (240 maxillary sinuses) using their CBCT coronal views (CCV) and panoramic radiographs (CP). On CCV, the PSAA's maximum dimension (MD), vertical distance (PVD) to the alveolar crest, and bone plate thickness (T1 and T2) buccally and inferiorly to the PSAA, respectively, were analyzed. Additionally, on CCV, the ostium vertical distance (OVD) and location were recorded, and the height of the remaining bone height inferior to the maxillary sinuses (MVD) was also measured. The PSAA's visibility was evaluated and compared between CCV and CP. All these variables were studied at the apical region of the second maxillary premolar (P2), first molar (M1), and second molar (M2). Age, gender, and face side (right vs. left) factors affecting the sinus dimensions and visibility were investigated. Several statistical tests were used to analyze these variables. RESULTS: PSAA was detected in 96.53% of the records on CCV, where it was significantly superior to CP in the detection of the PSAA structure (p value 0.000) at all sites analyzed. The PSAA's MD, PVD, T1 and T2 thicknesses, and MVD were on average 1.19 mm, 19.54 mm, 0.69 mm, 1.36 mm, and 10.25, respectively. OVD average was 31.04 mm where 42.9% of the ostia were within the mesiodistal extent of the second upper molar. No significant relation was found between different age groups, gender, and the visibility level of PSAA. CONCLUSION: Age, gender, and the side of the face investigated showed no discernible effects on the maxillary sinus's bone thickness, vertical dimensions, or PSAA diameter among the studied Palestinian sample. As CCV was superior to CP in the identification of PSSA, preoperative evaluation of PSSA using CBCT volumes is thus recommended.

Identification of the inferior alveolar canal using cone-beam computed tomography vs. panoramic radiography: a retrospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims at evaluating the visibility levels of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) at different mandibular sites using panoramic (conventional & CBCT reformatted) and CBCT coronal views in a sample of a Palestinian population. METHODS: The panoramic (conventional [CP] & CBCT reformatted [CRP]) and CBCT coronal views (CCV) of 103 patients (206 records, right and left sides) were analyzed. The visibility of IAC at five sites extending from the first premolar to the third mandibular molar region was evaluated visually (and compared among the radiographic views) as clearly visible, probably visible, invisible/poorly visible, or not present at the examined site. On CCV, the maximum dimension of the IAC (MD), the vertical distance (VD) between the mandibular cortex and IAC, and the horizontal position (HP) of the IAC were noted. Statistical significance in the differences and relationships of the variables was tested using several statistical tests. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between the radiography modality (CP, CRP, CCV) and the visibility level of IAC (assessed in scores) at the five mandibular sites. When assessed on CP, CRP, and CCV, the IAC was clearly visible at all sites in 40.4%, 30.9%, and 39.6%, respectively, while being invisible/poorly visible in 27.5%, 38.9%, and 7.2% for the same views, respectively. The mean values of MD and VD were 3.61 mm and 8.48 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Different radiographic modalities would characterize the IAC's structure in different qualities. Superior visibility levels were obtained interchangeably using CBCT cross-sectional views and conventional panorama at different sites compared to CBCT reformatted panorama. The IACs visibility was noted to improve at their distal aspects irrespective of the radiographic modality used. Gender -but not age- was a significant factor in the visibility level of IAC at only two mandibular sites.

The mental foramen, anatomical parameters through a radiographic approach to aid in dental implantology: A retrospective analysis in a sample of a Palestinian population.

Purpose: This study aims at analyzing the mental foramen (MF) structure, dimension, position, and emergence profiles among a sample of a Palestinian population. Methods: 212 mental foramina (106 patients) were analyzed on two panoramic views (CBCT reformatted (CRP) & conventional (CP)) and CBCT coronal views. The visibility score, position, size, presence of loop & supplementary foramina, distances coronal and apical to the foramen, and the emergence profiles of the mental canals with associated course angles were all noted. Results: No statistically significant relationship was found between the type of panoramic radiographic view used (i.e., CP & CRP) and the resultant visibility level and position of MF. The majority of the MF showed an intermediate visibility score on both CP & CRP. The highest percentage of MF's position was under the 2nd mandibular premolar. The emergence profile was shown to be, in most, superior (S) in 47.6% of the sample and posterosuperior (PS) in 28.3%. The MF mean height and width were 4.08 mm & 4.11 mm, respectively. The coronal and axial angles averages were 46.25° and 91.49°, respectively. The distance superior and inferior to the MF showed averages of 12.39 mm and 13.52 mm, respectively. 28.3% of the sample presented with a mental loop, with a mesial extension average of 2 mm. Conclusion: On both panoramic views (CBCT & conventional), the majority of the mental foramina displayed an intermediate visibility level, with no significant difference between the two techniques. The MF was found mostly under the second premolar. The majority of the examined mental canals had a superior emergence profile.