Comparison of Maxillary Sinus Sizes in Patient with Maxillary Excess and Maxillary Deficiency

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the maxillary sinus sizes in patients with maxillary excess and maxillary deficiency. Methods 120 cephalometric and panoramic radiographs of 12 - 25 years old patients were studied. These radiographs were derived from patients with maxillary deficiency, normal, or excess. Each group consisted of 40 Patients, (20 females and 20 males). Different dimensions of maxillary sinus included maxillary sinus anterior posterior length (M.S.L), maxillary sinus height (M.S.H) and total maxillary sinus area (TMSA) were measured by digital lateral cephalometry and digital panoramic analysis. In AutoCAD program the lines were measured by mm and the area were measured (mm²). All input images into AutoCAD program converted to a unit scale to assess the minimal magnification error. Data were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA. Results TMSA was highest in the maxillary deficiency group following by the maxillary normal and maxillary excess groups which the differences were statistically significant (P value = 0.008). However no significant differences were noticed by panoramic image measurements (P value = 0.285). The mean of MSH was significantly higher in the maxillary deficiency group compared with the maxillary normal and maxillary excess groups, both in lateral cephalometry (P value < 0.001) and panoramic images (P value = 0.034). Regarding the MSL no significant differences were seen among the study groups both in lateral cephalometry and panoramic images. Conclusions According to the result of this study TMSA and MSH were significantly higher in maxillary deficiency group in comparison with the maxillary normal and excess groups.