Relationship Between Vertical Facial Pattern and Maxillary Sinus Floor Lifting Surgery

Abstract

Rehabilitation with implants in the posterior region of the maxilla is a great challenge due to resorption of the alveolar process and pneumatization of the maxillary sinus. We aimed to verify whether there was a relationship between the vertical facial pattern and dimensions and alterations present in the maxillary sinuses through multislice computed tomography and to evaluate its implications for the placement of implants in the posterior region of the maxilla. In this cross-sectional study, tomography examinations were performed in 60 total or partial dentate patients with little interference in occlusion, totaling 120 maxillary sinuses. The RadiAnt DICOM Viewer™ 2020.2 (64-bit) software was used to measure the linear distances of the maxillary sinus, pneumatization extension, and determination of the vertical facial pattern. There was no signifi cant correlation between the maxillary sinus volume and facial pattern (p > 0.05) or between the facial pattern and sinusoidal membrane thickness. There was a signifi cant correlation between the facial pattern and extension of pneumatization (p < 0.035) and between the facial pattern and presence of a septum (p = 0.012). The facial pattern also showed a signifi cant correlation with the sinusoidal wall thickness (p < 0.01 for height H1 and p = 0.012 for height H2). There were also positive correlations among age, pneumatization, and breast volume (p < 0.05). The dolichofacial pattern showed greater pneumatization than the mesofacial pattern. The mesofacial pattern showed a lower prevalence of the presence of a septum; thus, the facial pattern may have the lowest risk of intraoperative complications.