A CADAVERIC STUDY OF MAXILLARY SINUS SIZE AS AN AID IN BONE-GRAFTING OF THE MAXILLARY SINUS FLOOR

Purpose: This study measured maxillary sinus volume as an aid in deter mining graft bone volume before grafting of the maxillary sinus floor. Materials and Methods: Maxillary sinus size was measured in 32 cadave rs (59 sinuses) using casts of the maxillary sinus made using dental i mpression material. Results: Anteroposterior length, height, width, an d volume of the maxillary sinus (mean +/- SD) were 30.1 +/- 5.65 mm, 3 4.6 +/- 7.71 mm, 25.4 +/- 5.71 mm, and 11.3 +/- 4.60 cm(3), respective ly. When the sinus-lift procedure was simulated, inferior sinus volume s (mean +/- SD) were 3.51 +/- 1.23 cm(3) for a 15-mm lift and 5.66 +/- 1.71 cm(3) for a 20-mm lift. Conclusions: in bone grafting of the max illary sinus floor, taking into consideration individual differences i n maxillary sinus volume and resorption of the grafted bone, 4.74 cm(3 ) or more of the graft is required for a 15-mm lift, and 7.37 cm(3) or more is required for a 20-mm lift.