Background. The aim of this work is to prepare a dental diagnostic standard that would enable us to distinguish patients with chronic odontogenic sinusitis (COS) from patients with sinusitis of other origin. We also wanted to determine a realistic number of COS in the Polish population.

IntroductionChronic sinusitis can be caused by both laryngological and dental factors. The number of odontogenic sinusitis (OS) in last decades is increasing and seems to be underrated. A unique developmental and microbiological factors causing OS require a different therapeutic approach.Material and methodsThis study evaluated tomography examinations of 500 patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic sinusitis. The patients were referred by laryngologists, neurologists, and maxillofacial surgeons. The scans were reanalyzed in view of the presence of odontogenic and laryngological pathologiesResultsAmong the 500 patients, 19,6% showed no inflammatory changes in the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses. All patient groups had numerous teeth missing, ranging from 27.3% to 33.2%. Most common odontogenic pathologies were periapical changes (28,8%) and the presence of teeth after improper endodontic treatment (24,2%). In the group in question dental implants (0,4%) and maxillary sinus augmentation (2,8%) were a marginal etiological factor.ConclusionsComputed tomography allows a thorough assessment of odontogenic changes. Obstruction of osteomeatal complex does not have direct influence on OS development. 43,2 % of the patients with chronic sinusitis have OS. It can be diagnosed in 50,8% of isolated right, 39,0% of isolated left and 57,8% of bilateral maxillary sinusitis patients. The results of this study can be used by dentists, maxillofacial surgeons and otolaryngologists to improve the standard of diagnosis and treatment in case of chronic odontogenic sinusitis.