Odontogenic infection as a predisposing factor for pathologic disorder development in maxillary sinus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an association between odontogenic infections (OI) and maxillary sinuses pathologic disorder (MSPD). The distance between the sinus floor and the root apex of upper posterior teeth was also assessed.

METHODS: Out of 4,402 cone beam computed tomography scans, 230 were selected, and 431 teeth were evaluated regarding the presence of OI: bone loss with furcation involvement, periapical and endodontic-periodontal lesions. The maxillary sinuses were assessed regarding the presence of MSPD, which was considered as mucosal thickening, opacification of the sinus and mucous retention cyst.

RESULTS: There was a significant association between OI and MSPD (p < .001). Periodontal bone loss with furcation involvement, periapical lesions and endodontic-periodontal lesions increased the risk of opacification of the sinuses by 11.6, 34.1 and 228.8 times, respectively. The frequency of the different types of MSP showed not to be associated with a group of teeth or dental root. Conversely, the presence of MSP was associated with a significant shorter distance between the palatine root apex and the sinus floor (p < .001).

CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between infectious process of teeth and MSPD. The proximity between the apex of palatine roots and the maxillary sinus floor showed to be a predisposing factor for MSPD.