The Effect of Tooth Extraction on the Pneumatization of the Maxillary Sinus

Objectives: To evaluate and compare (pre versus post extraction) maxillary sinus dimensions using fixed references on a panoramic radiographs.
Methods: For this preliminary analysis 15 pairs of panoramic radiographs, one sinus only per subject, were analyzed retrospectively in order to measure changes in the maxillary sinus dimensions before extractions and 6 months or more post–op. Using MS Power Point^® software the two radiographs – before and after the extraction were set for transparency and matched. After matching, measurements were performed in the midline of the socket, using the following reference points: From the line connecting the adjacent proximal teeth to bone crest (BC), to the sinus floor and to the sinus roof. From the BC to the sinus floor and roof. And from the sinus floor to the sinus roof.
Results: The mean distance sinus floor to sinus roof was 23.84 mm (± 6.36) pre op and 24.23 mm (±6.72) post-op, p=0.43. The mean distance BC-sinus roof was 32.07 mm (± 6.23) pre op and 30.15 mm (± 8.70) post op, p=0.069. The mean distance BC-sinus floor was 8.07 mm (± 3.86) pre op and 6.78 mm (± 4.55) post op, p=0.022. The mean distance CEJ-sinus roof was 35.18 mm (± 6.32) pre op and 35.64 mm (± 8.37) post op, p=0.49. The mean distance CEJ-sinus floor was 11.12 mm (± 3.51) pre op and 10.20 mm (± 4.38) post op, p=0.078. Mean distance CEJ-BC was 3.54 mm (± 2.47) pre op and 4.70 mm (± 1.65) post op, p=0.023.
Conclusions: Only minimal changes in the linear dimensions of the sinus were observed following tooth extraction in the area. Greater changes were observed in the vertical aspect of the alveolar ridge in these sites.