Comparative Evaluation of the Relationship between the Root-Tips of Maxillary Posterior Teeth and Floor of Maxillary Sinus using Digital Orthopantomogram in Chhattisgarh Individuals with Different Cephalic Indices

Background and Aims: Cephalic index has significant importance in the field of forensic science and variation in the cephalic index affects the facial dimensions and growth of the maxillary sinus in an individual. Knowledge of the anatomical relationship between maxillary posterior teeth and the floor of the maxillary sinus is very important for preoperative treatment planning in dentistry. The aim of the study is a comparative evaluation of the relationship and the distances between maxillary posterior teeth root tips and the floor of the maxillary sinus in different cephalic index subjects using a digital orthopantomogram. Materials and Methods: 210 subjects were categorized as Brachycephalic, Mesocephalic and Dolichocephalic according to their cephalic index. Orthopantomograms of these subjects were taken for assessment of vertical relationships between the maxillary posterior teeth and the floor of the maxillary sinus followed by distance measurement. Recorded data were statistically analyzed. Results: Significant difference in vertical distance was observed in all three cephalic groups in the case of 1st premolars, distobuccal roots of 1st molars and mesiobuccal roots of 2nd molars. Conclusion: The study concluded variation in the cephalic index affects the relationship and vertical distance between the maxillary sinus floor and the roots of maxillary posterior teeth.