Objectives: To assess the relationships between the maxillary first molar and the maxillary sinus floor in a group of patients referred to a dental clinic. Methods: Ninety-seven patients were recruited for this study. The distances between the examined roots (mesio-buccal, disto-buccal and palatal) as well as furcations, and the sinus floor, were evaluated using cone beam computed tomography, and grouped as follows: class 0: distance = 0 mm; class 1: 0 mm < distance < 2 mm; class 2: 2 mm ≤ distance < 4 mm; class 3: 4 mm ≤ distance < 6 mm; class 4: 6 mm ≤ distance. The Spearman’s Rank Correlation coefficient was used to test the univariate associations between furca-tion-sinus floor distance and each root class. Results: The prevalence of class 0 was the highest for the palatal root (44.33%), followed in descending order by mesio-buccal (40.21%), and disto-buccal (38.14%) roots. The highest correlation coefficient was recorded when assessing the relationship between furcation-sinus floor distance and palatal root classes (rho = 0.66, p < 0.001, n = 97). Conclusions: Altogether, the results suggest that the palatal root of the maxillary first molar not only had the closest relationship with the sinus floor, but also proved to be the best predictor for the furcation-sinus floor distance. The clinician should be aware of the anatomical and morphological details of this root, especially when taking surgical decisions

Our results provide estimates of the minimal and maximal distances between teeth and sinus, as well as the average bone density in the maxillary lateral region. It is important that evaluation of a specific patient be performed during the preoperative planning of implants.

Inflammation is involved in initiation, development and complications of the vast majority of non-communicable diseases. Recent research demonstrated that infl ammation is involved in pathogenesis of all major cardiovascular diseases. Different endogenous factors (LDL, nucleic acid strands, uric acid – collectively called „Damage Associated Molecular Patterns – DAMPs”) activate dedicated receptors („Pattern Recognition Receptors – PRR”) on monocytes, macrophages or dendritic cells responsible for the innate immunologic response. They have a major role in natural defense mechanisms against different pathogens and in normal conditions have a protective role. Among PRRs „NOD-like, leucin rich, pyrin containing (NLRP)” receptors are a 14-member family located in the cytoplasm. One of these is the NLRP3 resulting from nuclear transcription under the infl uence of NF-kB, a second messenger from membrane PRRs to the nucleus. Mostly the same factors responsible for NLRP3 intracellular expression stimulate its oligomerization resulting in a large protein complex, the NLRP3 infl ammasome. This activates caspase-1 responsible for IL-1b and IL-18 production and initiates an inflammatory reaction leading to various pathologic processes, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure. This is the current story as we know it of the NLRP3 infl ammasome, a small intracellular component that when inappropriately activated may does more harm than good.