Topographic study of antral teeth on computed tomography in a beninese population

Introduction

Pathologies of the maxillary sinus can be of infectious, tumour or iatrogenic origin. The most common is maxillary sinusitis, an inflammatory disease of the sinus mucosa that may or may not be of rhinological origin.^[1], ^[2] Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis is non-rhinological and quite common. Coulibaly in Mali reported an annual hospital prevalence of 55 cases in 2014.^[3] In 2008, Broome in Switzerland found a dental origin in 10% of all cases of maxillary sinusitis and in 40% of chronic maxillary sinusitis.^[2]

The anatomical proximity of the maxillary root tips to the maxillary sinus provides a pathway for the spread of dental infections, which explains this significant incidence.^[2] The sinus teeth vary from author to author. While some authors identify the maxillary first molars as the most common intrasinus teeth,^[2], ^[4] others identify the second molars as the most common proximal teeth.^[5], ^[6], ^[7], ^[8], ^[9], ^[10], ^[11], ^[12], ^[13], ^[14], ^[15], ^[16], ^[17], ^[18], ^[19] In Benin, no study had investigated the topographical relationship between the root apices and the floor of the maxillary sinus. Dental surgeons' knowledge of these anatomical relationships would help prevent odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. This research project was initiated to gain a better understanding of the antral teeth in a Beninese population. The aim was to describe the anatomical relationships between the maxillary sinuses and the maxillary root apices in a Beninese population using computed tomography (CT) images of the maxilla.

Materials and Methods

Technique used to collect data from CT images

The 3D MPR (Multiplanar Reconstruction) option of the Horos 3.0 medical image viewing software was used to generate 3D reconstructions (sagittal, coronal and axial) of each subject's facial CT scans. The following data were then recorded according to the following procedures:

Vertical relationships most at risk to the maxillary sinus (root apices are intra-sinus and those in contact with or within 0.5 mm of the sinus floor) were identified based on inspection of the 3 CT sections of the facial mass (coronal, sagittal and axial).

Horizontal relationships are represented by the position of the sinus alveolar recess, the most inclined part of the sinus floor, in relation to the root apices.^[14] They were assessed on a sagittal section.

Sinus volume was calculated from 3 sagittal, axial and coronal sections using the Horos software length measurement tool. The medio-lateral diameter (MLD) or width, measuring the greatest distance between the medial and lateral walls, was determined by comparing the dimensions obtained in 2 sections (axial and coronal) ([Figure 1], [Figure 3]). The craniocaudal diameter (CCD) or height of the sinus was measured as the greatest distance between the superior and inferior walls of the sinus after comparing the dimensions obtained on the 3 sections (axial, sagittal and coronal) ([Figure 2]). The anteroposterior diameter (APD) or depth measured the greatest distance between the anterior and posterior walls after comparing the dimensions obtained on 2 sections (sagittal and axial) ([Figure 2], [Figure 3]). Volume was calculated using the following formula MLD x CCD x APD x ½.^[20]

The shape of the sinus floor was assessed on the sagittal sections.

The height of the anterior and posterior extensions was assessed on sagittal sections.

Sinus mucosal thickening was assessed on 3 CT sections.

Results

A total of 255 of the 346 collected facial scans met our inclusion criteria, i.e. 510 maxillary sinuses.

Anatomical characteristics

Sinus volume

The mean volume of the right sinus was 13.78±4.59 ml, with extremes of 3 and 27 ml, and that of the left sinus was 13.65±4.75 ml, with extremes of 3 and 29 ml. There was no difference between right and left sinus volumes (p=0.2) and sinus volume was not related to gender (p=0.13).

Relationship between root apices and sinus floor

Vertically, the distribution of subjects according to the frequency of intra-sinus teeth and teeth in contact with the sinus floor is shown in [Table 1], [Table 2] respectively.

Teeth	Right size	Left size
Number	15	16	17	18	25	26	27	28
%	2.5	10.5	34.5	52.5	1.06	11.11	31.22	56.61

Table 1 Distribution of subjects according to the frequency of intrasinus teeth

On the right side, there were 29 cases (14.5%) of sinus intrusion of all teeth from 15 to 18, 1 case of intrusion of all teeth from 14 to 18 ([Figure 4]), and 1 case of intrusion from 13 to 18. On the left, there were 19 cases (10.05%) of intrasinus intrusion of teeth from 25 to 28.

Teeth		Right side	Left side
Number	13	14	15	16	17	18	23	24	25	26	27	28
%	0.96	10.05	27.27	21.53	13.4	26.79	1.44	6.25	32.21	19.23	14.9	25.96

Table 2 Distribution of subjects according to the frequency of teeth in contact with the sinus floor

In terms of horizontal relationships, the sinus alveolar recess was in the intrafurcation region in 98.68% of cases.

Pathological features: sinus mucosal thickening

Thickening of the right sinus mucosa was present in 79 subjects (30.9%) with a mean of 10.18 ± 5.56 mm. Left sinus mucosal thickening was present in 82 cases (32.15%) with a mean of 10.39 ± 5.83 mm. It was more frequent opposite to the intrasinus apex ([Figure 5]).

Discussion

One of the limitations of our study is that, unlike previous studies, all of which used cone beam to analyse the topographical relationships between the root apices and the sinus floor, CT was the imaging technique used in this study because cone beam computed tomography was not available in our context of a developing country with an under-equipped technical platform. However, cone beam allows a complete dental and nasosinusal examination to be carried out with much greater diagnostic efficiency and lower radiation doses. In fact, it offers a much higher resolution of bone structures while limiting the field of view and delivering radiation doses 9 to 10 times lower than those of a CT scan.^[21]

The population was clearly male-dominated, as reported in similar studies.^[14], ^[15], ^[22], ^[23], ^[24], ^[25]

The mean age of the subjects was in the 5th decade, with extremes of 18 and 82 years, showing that all age groups were represented in this study. The lower limit of 18 years was related to the average age of wisdom tooth development.

The mean sinus volume was 13 ml and was not related to gender. This result is very similar to that reported by Savi in Benin.^[26] This author found mean sinus volumes varying between 14 and 17 ml depending on the side. He found no significant difference between the sinus volumes of male and female subjects.^[26]

In terms of intrasinus teeth, in decreasing order of frequency, the third molars were the most common, followed by the second molars, then the first molars and finally the second premolars. This could be explained by the fact that the distance between the root apices and the sinus floor tends to decrease from the premolars to the molars.^[14], ^[18], ^[27] Most authors have reported that second molars at the head of the tooth invade the sinus.^[5], ^[6], ^[7], ^[8], ^[9], ^[10], ^[11], ^[12], ^[13], ^[14], ^[15], ^[16], ^[17], ^[18], ^[19] This difference in results could be explained by the fact that the majority of authors were only interested in the relationship between the first and second molars.^[6], ^[7], ^[8], ^[9], ^[10], ^[14], ^[15], ^[16], ^[17], ^[27], ^[28] In our study, all teeth were evaluated in their proximity to the sinus floor. If the third molar is not included in the evaluation of the root apex-sinus floor relationship, the second molar is the most posterior tooth in the arch. In accordance with previous studies, the maxillary molars are the teeth closest to the sinus floor because the bone thickness between the maxillary sinus floor and the root apices tends to become thinner as we approach the posterior region of the maxilla.^[14], ^[27], ^[28], ^[29]

For teeth whose root apices were tangential to or less than 0.5 mm from the maxillary sinus floor, in decreasing order of frequency, first were the second premolars, then the third molars, followed by the first and second molars, before the first premolars and canines.

Vertical relationships, in which the teeth enter the sinus and come into contact with the floor, and horizontal relationships, in which the alveolar recess of the sinus is located in the molar furcation zone, are the most vulnerable to the maxillary sinus, both in dento-periodontal pathologies and in various odontological therapies. Whereas dental infections inoculate the sinus cavity with germs and/or toxins, iatrogenic causes mechanically irritate the sinus mucosa before becoming a microbial entry point for the sinus cavity.

The majority of anterior sinus extensions were located in the premolar region, particularly opposite the first premolar (in over 40% of cases). Kim et al. had reported a similar trend of anterior extension opposite the first premolar with 58%.^[30] Unlike Khojatespour et al^[23] who reported 68% sinus extension in the canine region, we found 15% anterior extension in the canine region. This proves that all teeth are potentially at risk for the maxillary sinus. Dento-periodontal therapy should be carried out with care to preserve the health of the sinus mucosa.

As for the posterior sinus extensions, they were located in the tuberosity region in 88 to 90% of cases, depending on the side. This result is very similar to that of Kim et al,^[28] who found that 94% of the sinuses extended into the tuberosity.

The shape of the sinus floor was irregular in 3 out of 4 cases, which may explain the position of the sinus alveolar recess, which was located in the root furcation zone of the posterior teeth.

Sinus mucosal thickening is the inflammatory response to various pathogenic attacks on the mucosa. In our study, it was present in more than 30% of cases, with an average thickness of 10 mm. The discovery of the intrusion of teeth from the canine to the 3rd molar without signs of irritation of the sinus mucosa is evidence of the role of microorganisms in the development of odontogenic maxillary sinus disease. Mechanical irritation of uninfected apices alone is not sufficient to induce inflammation of the sinus mucosa. Several authors have shown that sinus mucosal thickening is more frequent in relation to intrasinus apices with apical and/or periodontal lesions.^[9], ^[16], ^[31], ^[32]

Conclusions

This study of the proximity of the maxillary root apices to the sinus floor, carried out using CT sections of the facial mass, provided a better understanding of the teeth most frequently intruding into or in contact with the sinuses in a Beninese population. These were the most posterior teeth. In this population, molars were at greater risk of sinus disease than premolars. However, anterior sinus extensions, sometimes into the canine region, increase the number of teeth potentially at risk of sinus disease. Care should be taken with any treatment on all maxillary teeth. These results will help dental surgeons to prevent odontogenic sinus disease.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.