Clinical Availability of Waters' Projection in Sinus Elevation Procedures

Abstract

Purpose: Maxillary sinus elevation has been widely used to enable insertion of endosseous implants in severely resorbed maxilla. Maxillary sinusitis after this procedure was considered to be the major drawback, therefore, preoperative evaluation of paranasal sinus is considered to be important. In order to evaluate the condition of the sinus, we used Waters' projection. In this study, asymptomatic patients were evaluated by Waters' view, and compared to timing to assess the sinus cavity. Methods: The retrospective study was based on 14 patients who were performed sinus elevation surgery in Seoul National University Dental Hospital. These patients did not show any signs of maxillary sinusitis. These patients were taken Waters' view at preoperative, postoperative 1 day, 3 months, 6 months. In Waters' view, presence of air fluid level, radiopacity of sinus wall, or radiopacity of entire maxillary sinus were evaluated. The density, and sinus dimension changes were assessed using Adobe Photoshop CS5? (Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA, USA). Results: Findings of Waters views in patients with clear maxillary sinus at preoperative time were followed by elevated sinus floor with transplanted bone, mucosal swelling, and air fluid level. At postoperative 3 months, and 6 months, the radiographic findings were similar to preoperative state. By contrast, patients with preoperative mucosal swelling, or haziness in sinus cavity showed radiopacity entire sinus in Waters' view. In cases of the patients who were treated with simultaneous treatment to mucosal swelling, good status of sinus cavity were found. Conclusion: Although Waters' projections provide the limited information, and is less sensitive method compared with computed tomography, it is simple, easy, and economical method to assess of maxillary sinus. We suggest using Waters' view as radiographic routine tool for evaluation of sinus condition, especially in the sinus elevation surgery.