The relation between frontal sinus dimension and maxillary and mandibular prognathism/retrognathism among Iranian youth and adults

Abstract Introduction: Estimating the appropriate time for orthodontic treatment is a crucial factor. Given the earlier maturation of sinuses rather than maxillomandibular growth, finding the exact relationship between the growth of the jaws and frontal sinuses is considered to be a helpful element in Orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study, conducted on 60 lateral cephalometric radiographs (18 male-42 female) to estimate the relation between frontal sinus dimension and prognathism/retrognathism of jaws.   The ANB-SNB-SNA angles and Wit’s analysis of the samples were divided into three- jaw I, II, and III classes, indicating the prognathism or retrognathism. The area of Frontal sinus was plotted on the tracing paper and transferred to the Auto CAD software.Independent samples t-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the area of frontal sinus to the mandibular and maxillary position. Results: The statistically difference between frontal sinus area and gender, between the mean area of the frontal sinus and maxillomandibular anterior-posterior orientation, was reported as p=0.294 and p=0.352/p=0.261, respectively. Conclusion: There was no significant relation between the frontal sinus dimension and maxillary and mandibular prognathism/retrognathism. Consequently,  frontal sinus dimension cannot be used for estimating maxilla and mandibular growth.