Classification of sinonasal pathology associated with dental pathology or dental treatment

Abstract Background As is known, the pathologies of the posterior teeth in the first and second quadrant and their treatments can be associated with pathology of the maxillary sinus. Both implant and pre-implant surgery 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 is to design a useful classification of SN pathology associated with DP or DT to record information of DEN and ENT. Material and methods Bibliographic review and design of a classification system of SN, DP and DT pathology. Results Six categories are described in our system: 0- absence of SN pathology and DP; 1 and 4- patients with DP associated or associated with SN pathology, respectively; 2 and 5- patients with DT not associated or associated with SN pathology, respectively and 3- patients with SN pathology without DP. The classification has applications in diagnosis (association and possible causal relationship between the SN pathology and DP) and in the treatment of NS and DP simultaneously or sequentially. Conclusions The classification proposed integrates the presence or absence of DP or DT, and its causal association or the lack of it with SN pathology. Moreover, it facilitates the communication between DEN and ENT and eases the registration of information and the planning of dental, implant and pre-implant treatments.