Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Dental Medicine

First Committee Member

Brian Chrzan

Second Committee Member

Sung Kim

Third Committee Member

Charles Hill

Fourth Committee Member

Yonsu Kim

Number of Pages

71

Abstract

This investigation used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) based three dimensional imaging to evaluate correlations between maxillary sinus volume and maxillomandibular skeletal size, position, and dental occlusion in an adult orthodontic population. A retrospective sample of 107 pretreatment CBCT scans (40 males and 67 females), aged 18–59 years, was analyzed. Right and left maxillary sinuses were segmented independently using semi-automatic volumetric segmentation in ITK-SNAP software, and total sinus volume was calculated in cubic millimeters (mm³). Linear and angular skeletal measurements of the maxilla and mandible were obtained using Anatomage TxSTUDIOViewer application software. Patients were categorized according to anteroposterior (A-P) skeletal classification (Class I, II, III), vertical skeletal pattern (normodivergent, hyperdivergent, hypodivergent), and dentoalveolar classification (Class I, II, III).

Males demonstrated significantly greater total maxillary sinus volumes than females. Statistically significant differences were observed between right and left sinus volumes within the overall sample, but with high correlation. Maxillary sinus volume demonstrated significant positive correlations with select maxillary and mandibular linear measurements, including transverse, vertical, and anteroposterior skeletal dimensions. However, no statistically significant differences in sinus volume were observed among anteroposterior skeletal classifications, vertical skeletal classifications, or dentoalveolar classifications.

Maxillary sinus volume demonstrated measurable correlations with specific linear skeletal dimensions but did not significantly differ across categorical skeletal or dental classifications. These findings suggest that maxillary sinus volume reflects overall craniofacial size rather than skeletal pattern classifications. Volumetric assessment of the maxillary sinus using three-dimensional imaging may provide adjunctive anatomical insight but should not be considered a diagnostic indicator of skeletal or dental malocclusion classification. Further investigation with larger and more diverse populations is recommended to clarify the clinical implications of these relationships.

Controlled Subject

Three-dimensional imaging in medicine; Anthropometry; Musculoskeletal system

Disciplines

Dentistry | Medicine and Health Sciences | Oral Biology and Oral Pathology

File Format

PDF

File Size

1980 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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