Changes in sinus mucosal thickening in the course of tooth extraction and lateral sinus augmentation with surgical drainage: A cone-beam computed tomographic study

Objectives The objective of the study was to evaluate the radiographic changes in sinus mucosal thickness (SMT) in patients with mucosal thickening of odontogenic origin after maxillary molar extraction and lateral sinus augmentation with simultaneous surgical drainage and implant placement. Materials and Methods Forty-six patients were included in this study. The changes in SMT were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography images produced at four time points: before extraction (T0), before surgery (T1), immediately after surgery (T2), and after prosthesis delivery (T3), and statistical differences between time points were analyzed. The changes in SMT and augmented bone height (ABH) regarding the reason of extraction, smoking, ostial patency, and the presence of postoperative sinusitis were also evaluated. Results Over time points, SMT gradually decreased (T0: 19.44 +/- 9.22 mm, T1: 15.10 +/- 8.89 mm, T2: 8.42 +/- 6.01 mm, and T3: 4.16 +/- 4.91 mm) (p < .05). Five out of 6 patients with ostial obstruction at T1 presented ostial patency at T3. Two patients developed postoperative sinusitis but recovered with medication. Ostial patency at T1, SMT at T1, and reason of extraction did not statistically significantly influence SMT at T3. SMT at T1 had no statistically significant impact on ABH change between T2 and T3. Conclusion Sinus mucosal thickness was gradually reduced by extraction of compromised teeth and drainage during lateral sinus augmentation. The drainage contributed more to the reduction in SMT.