Analysis of association between maxillary sinus lateral wall thickness, Schneiderian membrane thickness and residual alveolar ridge height in dentate and partially edentulous patients: a cbct study

The maxillary sinus is the largest paranasal air-filled space, developing first in utero. It is a pyramidal-shaped cavity in the facial skull with a mean volume of 12.5 mL. The mucous membrane, the Schneiderian membrane, covers the innermost layer of highly vascularized connective tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells from the sinus membrane can produce bone, essential for sinus floor elevation procedures. The thickness of the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus is crucial in surgical interventions such as Caldwell-Luc surgery, Lefort I osteotomy, open sinus lift, facial and jaw bone fracture fixation, and the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis. Maxillary sinus augmentation is performed using two surgical approaches: the lateral window approach and the crestal approach. The lateral window approach is considered more predictable in terms of outcome and safety, especially for cases with minimal bone height. CBCT scans are used for dental and maxillofacial imaging, offering advantages in isotropic volume resolution and reduced radiation doses.