Dental causes of infection:
(1) dental caries for a maxillary tooth
(2) periodontitis affecting a maxillary tooth
(3) complications of iatrogenic dental or maxillofacial surgery
(4) complications of oral trauma
(5) odontogenic tumor or cyst affecting a maxillary tooth
When to consider a dental source:
(1) combination of maxillary sinusitis with dental pain, jaw pain or any of the causes listed above
(2) resistance to conventional sinusitis therapy, including frequent recurrences
(3) radiographic changes
The typical odontogenic sinusitis is a mixed aerobic-anaerobic infection with dental organisms.
Management:
(1) control of the infection with antibiotics and drainage
(2) correct of the dental defect
(3) ensuring normal sinus drainage
Differential diagnosis:
(1) disease of the hard palate extending into the sinus
