Abstract
Purpose: 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 & methods: 232 sinuses were subdivided into two groups(group1 : 175 sinuses were classified as complete & 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 & 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 & 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 & partial dentate maxillary segments. Also maxillary sinus septa are more commonly detected posteriorly than anteriorly.