Radiographic assessment of maxillary sinus membrane and lateral wall thickness using cone-beam CT in different facial types in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The anatomy of the edentulous posterior maxilla and maxillary sinus possess unique challenges in implant dentistry. The purpose of this study was to assess maxillary sinus membrane thickness (MT) and lateral wall thickness (LWT) in different facial index profiles and to describe the clinical implications. A retrospective image analysis of 75 CBCT scans was done, which yielded a total of 150 sinus images. The facial index was calculated as per the formula given in the text and grouped as euryprosopic, mesoprosopic and leptoprosopic. The images obtained were of 36 women (48%) and 39 men (52%), with maximum subjects in 30-39 years age group. MT and LWT were measured at three different points on the radiograph at every 3mm from the base of the sinus floor in premolar and molar regions of each image. Results showed females had significant differences from males in LWT in both premolar and molar regions (p = 0.018 and 0.032 respectively). Subjects in 40-49 years of age had significant differences (p = 0.021) in MT in premolar region only. Also, difference in MT in premolar and molar regions were also statistically significant. Lastly, the present study did not find any statistically significant difference in MT and LWT in all three facial indices groups. It can be concluded that different facial indices have no positive correlation with maxillary sinus membrane thickness and lateral wall thickness. Hence, surgical complications are avoidable with proper detailed knowledge and appropriate identification of the anatomic structures characteristic to the maxillary sinus.

Evaluation of methyl methacrylate monomer cytotoxicity in dental lab technicians using buccal micronucleus cytome assay.

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer, a primary component of dental resins, is known to induce cytotoxicity, dermatitis, and neuropathy. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of micronuclei (MN) in buccal mucosal cells of dental technicians exposed to MMA using Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay. The Risk Group (RG=13) consisted of all the technicians working in the prosthetic production laboratory of KKU-College of Dentistry. The Control Group (CG=14) consisted of healthy students and doctors matching the age of RG subjects. Buccal mucosa scrapes obtained from all the 27 RG and CG subjects were stained with Papanicolaou stain and observed under oil immersion lens (100×) for the presence of MN. There were no significant differences in the incidence of MN between RG and CG (p>0.05).