Comparative Analysis of Alveolar Crest Height Relative to the Maxillary Sinus in Upper Molars by Skeletal Classes and Sex: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study

The maxillary sinus is a bilateral pneumatic space located within the maxilla, in close proximity to the alveolar ridge that supports the upper dentition, and it plays a significant role in surgical planning due to potential complications. This study analyzed 120 Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans of both males and females from San Luis Potos & iacute;, Mexico, and identified their skeletal classes. Measurements of the alveolar ridge height relative to the maxillary sinus were obtained at the mesial, middle, and distal points of the first and second molars. The results showed significant differences in alveolar ridge height between males of skeletal classes I and II, with class I exhibiting greater heights. Although sex-based differences were less pronounced and did not achieve clinical significance, the data highlight the importance of axial CBCT imaging for accurate assessment of bone morphology and its relationship with the maxillary sinus. These findings underscore the need to tailor surgical strategies to specific skeletal characteristics, thereby enhancing the planning and outcomes of procedures in the posterior maxillary region.