ABSTRACT
Sinusitis of odontogenic source accounts for about one-tenth of all cases of maxillary sinusitis (1). The maxillary sinus is situated between the nasal and the oral cavities and is, therefore, the most susceptible of all sinuses to invasion by pathogenic bacteria through the nasal ostium or the oral cavity. Sinusitis originating from odontogenic source differs in its pathophysiology, microbiology, and management from sinusitis from other causes. It usually occurs when the Schneidarian membrane is disrupted by conditions such as those infections originating frommaxillary teeth, maxillary dental trauma, odontogenic pathology of maxillary bone, or iatrogenic causes such as dental extractions, maxillary osteotomies in orthognathic surgery, and placement of dental implants (2). The treatment of sinusitis of odontogenic source often requires management of the sinus infection as well as the odontogenic source.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
