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The thickness of the radiographic image of the maxillary sinus mucosa on intraoral radiographs was evaluated in 13 patients with advanced periodontal disease, prior to and 12 months following initial periodontal therapy. Before treatment, a relationship was observed between the thickness of the sinus mucosa and the mean probing depths of the teeth in the involved sextant. As many as 79% of the available sextants showed swelling of the mucosa prior to periodontal therapy, compared to only 17% after treatment. This report supports previous studies indicating that advanced periodontal disease may cause swelling of the maxillary sinus mucosa and that periodontal therapy will significantly reduce such swelling.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the head and neck is becoming an important aid in evaluating pathologic conditions of the brain, midface, and pharynx. Certain dental materials cause artifacts during MR imaging of the lower midface. These artifacts can obscure the normal anatomy. This study describes the degree of artifact production caused by various materials commonly used in dental restorations. Of the materials tested, those causing artifacts were made of stainless steel, such as orthodontic bands used for braces, and pins or posts that are commonly drilled into teeth to provide structure or stability before filling. Materials used as temporary or permanent fillings or crowns--such as amalgam, gold alloy, aluminum, microfilled resin, and polyvinyl acrylics--did not cause artifacts in the images.