Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Apr-Jun;10(2):294-298.
doi: 10.4103/ccd.ccd_548_18.

Morphological Analysis of the Human Maxillary Sinus Using Three-Dimensional Printing

Affiliations

Morphological Analysis of the Human Maxillary Sinus Using Three-Dimensional Printing

Nadia Araneda et al. Contemp Clin Dent. 2019 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Background: The maxillary sinus (MS) is described as a pyramid-shaped cavity of the maxilla.

Aim: The aim of this research is to present a strategy for morphological analysis of the MS using three-dimensional (3D) printing acquired through cone-beam computed tomography images.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional exploratory, single-blind study was conducted, including 24 subjects. MSs were reconstructed, and 3D virtual modeling was done bilaterally, obtaining 48 physical models generated on a 3D printer. The statistical analysis used tests of normality and tests using a value of P < 0.05 to establish statistical significance.

Results: The mean of the MS volume was 15.38 cm3 (±6.83 cm3). The minimum volume was 5.4 cm3 and the maximum was 30.8 cm3. In a bilateral comparison of the right and left volume of the same individual, there were no significant differences (P = 0.353). In relation to the morphology of the MSs, the most prevalent was pyramidal with a square base with a prevalence of 66.7%. Related to gender, significant differences were observed only for the left volume (P = 0.009), with the mean volume being significantly greater in the men (19.69 cm3) than in the women (12.28 cm3).

Conclusion: 3D printing of the MS permitted the more precise observation of anatomical features that cannot be seen on a 2D screen. A classification is presented that allows an analysis of sinus morphology, although it is necessary to conduct studies with larger samples to obtain more conclusive results.

Keywords: Maxillary sinus; sinus morphology; three-dimensional printing.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Frontal view of the right and left maxillary sinuses with a quadrangular base. R-MS: Right maxillary sinus, L-MS: Left maxillary sinus, U: Upper area, L: Lower area, La: Lateral area, Me: Medial area
Figure 2
Figure 2
Frontal view of the right and left maxillary sinuses with a pyramidal base. R-MS: Right maxillary sinus, L-MS: Left maxillary sinus, U: Upper area, L: Lower area, La: Lateral area, Me: Medial area

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Misch CE, Resnik RR, Misch-Dietsh F. Contemporary Implant Dentistry. 38. Barcelona, España: Elsevier Mosby Inc; 2008. Maxillary sinus anatomy, pathology, and graft surgery; pp. 905–74.
    1. Ryu J, Choi SH, Cha JY, Lee KJ, Hwang CJ. Retrospective study of maxillary sinus dimensions and pneumatization in adult patients with an anterior open bite. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016;150:796–801. - PubMed
    1. Lawson W, Patel ZM, Lin FY. The development and pathologic processes that influence maxillary sinus pneumatization. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2008;291:1554–63. - PubMed
    1. Nimigean V, Nimigean VR, Măru N, Sălăvăstru DI, Bădiţă D, Tuculină MJ, et al. The maxillary sinus floor in the oral implantology. Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2008;49:485–9. - PubMed
    1. Jun BC, Song SW, Park CS, Lee DH, Cho KJ, Cho JH. The analysis of maxillary sinus aeration according to aging process; volume assessment by 3-dimensional reconstruction by high-resolutional CT scanning. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005;132:429–34. - PubMed