Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, location and morphology of antral septa using radiographic exam.(Panorama, CT) in the dentate/non-atrophic and edentulous/atrophic maxillary segments. Material and methods: 232 sinuses were subdivided into two groups(group1 : 175 sinuses were classified as complete and partial dentate maxillary segments, group2 : 57 sinuses were classified as complete edentulous maxillary segments) and were investigated for the incidence, location and morphology of maxillary sinus septa. Results: A total of 80 septa were observed in 232 maxillary sinuses, which corresponded to 30.65% of the sinuses(71 of 232). 67.5% of the total septa was observed in the complete and partial dentate groups, but 32.5% of the total septa was observed in the complete edentulous group. Upon analysis of the anatomical location of the septa, it was seen that 14 septa(17.5%) were located in the P1 area, 15 septa(18.7%) were located in the P2 area, 19 septa(23.8%) were located in the M1 area and 32 septa(40%) were located in the M2 area and dista area of M2. we found 45 septa in the apical lesion of teeth, Group 1. However the remaining 9 septa were found in the edentulous area. Conclusion: CT is a better method than panoramic radiography for detecting the presence of the maxillary sinus septa. Maxillary sinus septa are more commonly detected in complete edentulous maxillary segments than in complete and partial dentate maxillary segments. Also maxillary sinus septa are more commonly detected posteriorly than anteriorly.