Observation of maxillary sinus septa and bony bridges using dry skulls between Hellman's dental age of IA and IIIC

Abstract

Maxillary sinus septa and bony bridges were observed using dry skulls in childhood, classified based on Hellman's dental age, to clarify maxillary sinus septum formation. Eighty-eight maxillary sinuses of 44 dry skulls and a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) unit were used. The locations of the septum, defined as a pointed bony structure originating from the inferior wall, and bony bridge, defined as a bony structure between the maxillary sinus wall and dental germ, were antero-posteriorly recorded, and the superoinferior distance, distance from the bony palate, and angle to the median palatine suture were measured. The rate of septum presence in the maxillary sinus was high (41.7%) in IIIC, and the septa were located in the deciduous molars, premolars, and molars. Also, all bony bridges were related to the median maxillary sinus wall, and the rate of the maxillary sinus showing a bony bridge was high in IIA and IIIA. Septum presence in the maxillary sinus was observed in IIA, IIC, IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC of Hellman's dental age. Also, bony bridges were observed in IC, IIA, IIC, IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC of Hellman's dental age.