Background: Identification of factors affecting maxillary sinus membrane thickness would be of practical importance in surgical planning for both implant placement and otolaryngeal surgery. This study aimed to analyze a possible correlation be­tween Schneiderian membrane thickness (SMT) and gingival biotype (GB), marginal bone loss (MBL) and presence of periapical infection (PAI) of related teeth using Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)
Subjects and Methods: A total of fifty consecutive moderate to severe chronic periodontitis patients were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients' sex and age were recorded. Clinical measurement of (GB) was performed in the premolar and first molar area, and then (CBCT) images of patients were examined for (SMT), (MBL) and presence of (PAI) in the same area. All measured parameters were analyzed and graded. Then correlation between these parameters and Schneiderian membrane thickness was evaluated.
Results: Higher percentage of severe SMT was observed in patient with thick gingival biotype (37.3%) than those with thin biotype (33.3%) and a direct positive correlation between SMT and MBL (r= 0.595, p<0.001) was detected. Cases with PAI showed higher mean sinus membrane thickness (5.3±1.97) than normal cases (2.26±1.90) (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The presence of periapical infection marginal bone loss or clinically detected thick gingival biotype in the maxilla could be associated with thicker Schneiderian membrane, so clinicians should be aware of these clinical and radiographic findings that could predict the sinus membrane thickness.