Analysis of Maxillary Sinus Septa Using CBCT According to Dental Status

Background: This study aims to address the prevalence, anatomical distribution, and etiological classification of maxillary sinus septa by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to investigate their relationship with dental status.Methods: Maxillary sinus CBCT images of (n=608) of 304 patients were analyzed in this restrospective study. The study sample was classified as fully dentate, partially dentate, or completely edentulous. Maxillary sinus septa were evaluated for presence, anatomical location, and etiological type. Relationships between categorical variables, including dental status, septal presence, septal location, and septal type, were examimed using the chi-square test. The relationships between septa presence and age were analyzed using binary logistic regression. In case of a significant overall relationship between dental status and septal type, post hoc pairwise comparisons were conducted using Fisher’s exact test with Bonferroni correction to determine intergroup differences.Results: The overall prevalence of maxillary sinus septa was determined to be 32.7%. No significant differences in septal prevalence by sex or age were found. Septa were most frequently located in the middle region of both the right (45.6%) and left (64.6%). A highly significant relationship was found between septal type and dental status (p < 0.001). Primary septa predominated in dentate individuals, whereas secondary septa were more frequent in partially edentulous patients and were observed exclusively in completely edentulous individuals.Conclusions: Maxillary sinus septa are common anatomical variations. Their etiological characteristics are significantly related with dental status, highlighting the importance of CBCT-based preoperative assessment to reduce the risk of Schneiderian membrane perforation during sinus floor elevation procedures.Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; Dental status; Maxillary sinus septa