Classification of sinonasal pathology associated with dental pathology or dental treatment

Background The pathologies of the posterior teeth in the first and second quadrant and their treatments can be associated with pathology of the maxillary sinus in up to 30% of the cases. Sinus lift surgery in order to place dental implants have increased their incidence. It is necessary, therefore, to address sinonasal pathology (SN) related to dental pathology (DP) or dental treatments (DT) from an interdisciplinary point of view by establishing collaborative working groups between Dentistry (DEN) and Otolaryngology (ENT), as well as by developing registries and establishing coordinated diagnosis and treatment protocols of sinonasal pathology. The aim of this study was to present a brand new and useful classification that relates dental pathology and dental treatments performed on antral teeth with sinonasal pathology to facilitate communication between dentists and otolaryngologists. Methods A review of the literature was performed and a classification which related dental pathology and treatments to sinonasal pathology was developed. Results Six categories are described in our system: absence of sinonasal or dental pathology (0); patients with dental pathology associated (1) or not (4) with sinonasal pathology; 2 and 5- patients with dental treatment not associated (2) or associated (5) with sinonasal pathology; and patients with sinonasal pathology without dental pathology (3). The classification has applications in diagnosis (association and possible causal relationship between the sinonasal and dental pathology) and in the treatment of these pathologies simultaneously or sequentially. Conclusions This classification integrates the presence or absence of dental pathology or dental treatment, and its association or not it with sinonasal pathology. Moreover, it facilitates the communication between dentists and otolaringologists and eases the registration of information and the planning of dental, implant and sinus lift treatments.