Application of a Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-Based Index for Evaluating Surgical Sites Prior to Sinus Lift Procedures—A Pilot Study
Table 1
The novel CBCT index with difficulty scores assigned to each parameter.
Parameter assessed
CBCT findings
Difficulty scores (DS)
(1) Thickness of the lateral window
Adequate (3–5 mm)
0
Inadequate OR excessively thick
1
To be measured at the region of interest (ROI) in the coronal CBCT section
(2) Thickness of the sinus membrane
Adequate (0.5–1.5 mm)
0
Inadequate OR thick membrane
1
To be evaluated in the coronal section at the ROI Sinus membrane thickness of more than 2 mm needs further consultation
(3) Presence of sinus septations
Absent
0
Present
1
To be evaluated at the ROI by using axial CBCT sections and further confirmed using coronal and sagittal sections
(4) Relationship of sinus membrane with the roots of the adjacent teeth
Osteotomy at sites involving more than one missing tooth
0
Osteotomy at sites involving one missing tooth
1
To be evaluated at the ROI by using sagittal sections
(5) Radiographic presence of alveolar antral artery
Absent
0
Present
1
Present implies visibility of the canal on the coronal CBCT section
(6) Sinus pathologies
Absent
0
Present
1
Sinus pathologies include the following: (a) Mucosal thickening of less than 2 mm with no current symptoms of sinusitis (b) Mucous-retention cyst filling less than 75% of the sinus (c) Bony oroantral communication masked by soft tissue. Apart from the above-mentioned conditions, all other pathologies should be referred for additional presurgical evaluation. They should be only considered for augmentation once the pathology has resolved
