Does Periodontal Bone Loss Play a Significant Role in Schneiderian Membrane Thickening? A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation.

Background and

Objectives

Thickening of the maxillary sinus mucosa is commonly detected in asymptomatic individuals through various radiographic techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the maxillary sinus mucosal thickness (MT), also known as Schneiderian membrane thickness, in patients with periodontal bone loss (PBL) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and

Methods

In this retrospective study, CBCT images from 315 patients who presented to the Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University, between January 2023 and January 2025 for various indications were evaluated. PBL, the presence or absence of mucosal thickening at the maxillary sinus floor, age, and gender were recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the relationships between age, gender, PBL, and MT.

Results

A significant association was observed between PBL and MT. Sinus mucosal thickening was notably more prominent in individuals with advanced bone loss. Gender had no statistically significant effect on MT. A moderate, positive, and statistically significant correlation was found between age and MT.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that PBL exerts a significant and measurable impact on MT. Compared to conventional diagnostic methods, CBCT provides superior diagnostic accuracy for detecting periodontal bone defects and evaluating the soft tissue morphology at the base of the maxillary sinus.