Growth of the maxillary sinus in children and adolescents: A longitudinal study

Maxillary sinus volumetric and surface area data and growth models from longitudinal samples of children and adolescents are presented. Cone-beam radiographic CT scans from two small retrospective longitudinal samples, one from the Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX (N = 17, 12 females, 5 males, 10.9-17.4 years) and one from a group private orthodontic practice in Nevada (N = 15, 9 females, 6 males, 6.4-13.4 years) were used to collect maxillary sinus volumes and surface areas from each individual imaged at two times separated by variable intervals. Volume and surface area values were collected in Analyze® (Mayo Clinic) and growth models were produced in MLwiN®, a multi-level modeling program. There is a large degree of inter-individual variation. Surface area and surface-area-to-volume ratio (SA:V) changes are particularly variable. Growth models suggest linear growth in both volume and surface area, without growth spurts.