Distribution of Vascular Canal at Lateral Wall of Maxillary Sinus in Korean Population Using Computed Tomography

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the blood supply to the maxillary sinus in Koreans using computed tomography of the lateral wall of the sinus, and to analyze the data according to demographic data, and to compare our results with previously published research.METHODS: One hundred and three patients (males 51, females 52) who visited the dental clinic were evaluated. We investigated the canals with cone-beam computed tomography, and measured the diameter and length from the bony notch of the vascular canal at the lateral wall of the sinus to each of the reference planes.RESULTS: Most types of vascular canal were type I & II (total 72.2%) which were driving through inside the sinus wall. Type IV, V were frequently investigated in 1st premolar and 2nd molar. Mean height; from anterior nasal spine-posterior nasal spine plane to vascular canal was 5.56 mm in 1st premolar, 2.11 mm in 2nd premolar, 0.98 mm in 1st molar, 4.32 mm in 2nd molar; from the basal layer of the sinus was 4.93 mm in 1st premolar, 5.00 mm in 2nd premolar, 6.05 mm in 1st molar, 7.91 mm in 2nd molar; and from alveolar crest, 20.80 mm in 1st premolar, 16.57 mm in 2nd premolar, 14.01 mm in 1st molar, 16.17 mm in 2nd molar. The mean height of the vascular canal of each reference plane showed no significant difference between sex, site (left or right) and age. The mean diameters of the canals were 1.76 mm in male, and 1.50 mm in female. Diameter decreased with age, and tooth site (from 1st premolar to 2nd molar).CONCLUSION: These results show that the mean diameter of the vascular canal of the maxillary sinus varies according to age, sex, and tooth site, but that the mean height of canal had no significant difference based on these three factors.