Changes of maxillary sinus form and degree of pneumatization after teeth loss in adults

Abstract

For studying the changes of maxillary sinuses after partial and full teeth loss the complex research was conducted with the use of frontal cuts of 60 skulls at the second molar level. It was established that the form and degree of pneumatization of maxillary sinuses directly depend on persistence degree of upper dentition. Thus, after teeth loss the increase in occurrence of maxillary sinuses with the tetrahedral form and reduction of sinuses with uncertain form are observed, and the number of the hyperpneumatitized sinuses increases from 61.2% in the group with undamaged upper dentition to 87.8% in the group with the total absence of upper teeth. In addition there is a close anatomic interrelation between the degree of pneumatization of maxillary sinus and the structure of an alveolar process of the upper jaw which is also exposed to essential changes after teeth loss. The obtained results can be important for maxillofacial surgery and stomatology, first of all, when planning and carrying out dental upper jaw implantation.