An acoustical analysis of the effects of maxillary sinus augmentation on voice quality.

OBJECTIVE

Increased experience in sinus lifting procedures has led to a number of literature reports, but the potential effects of sinus lifting on voice quality is not clearly addressed in clinical studies. The aim of this study was to objectively investigate the effects of sinus lifting on alterations in voice quality and, in particular, on vocal resonance.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 17 patients who were in need of bilateral sinus augmentation were recruited. Acoustic analyses were performed before and after surgery. Volume changes in the sinuses were recorded before and after surgery using dental volumetric tomography. The Friedman test with Bonferroni correction was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Changes in the perturbation parameters of acoustic sound analysis were found to be statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that all patients (especially voice professionals) be informed about the possible effects of sinus lifts on speech and voice alterations.