| Introduction. The purpose of this study was to characterize common TAD placement sites in the posterior maxilla and their proximity to the maxillary sinus, and to compare gender, ethnic, and insertion site groups. Methods. Pretreatment CBCT images of 66 consecutively scanned orthodontic patients (34 females (17 Hispanic/17 Caucasian) ≥ 16 years old and 32males (15 Hispanic/17 Causcasian) ≥ 21years old) were rendered to provide vertical sections between the second and first molar (7/6), and first molar and second premolar (6/5). The distances from the floor of the maxillary sinus to the alveolar crest, buccal plate and alveolar plates were measured. Results. Few significant differences were found between gender and ethnic groups. Significant differences existed between the 7/6 and the 6/5 sites. Conclusions. The palatal of the 6/5 site was considered the safest area for placement, followed by buccal of 6/5, palatal of 7/6, and buccal of 7/6. |
