Investigation of the effect of unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia on temporomandibular joint morphology

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia on temporomandibular joint morphology in individuals with this condition. Maxillary sinus hypoplasia is usually asymptomatic and is often detected incidentally. The temporomandibular joint plays an important role in fundamental functions such as chewing, speaking, and swallowing. Understanding the potential morphological changes in the temporomandibular joint structure due to maxillary sinus hypoplasia is crucial for clinical and radiological assessments. Materials and Methods: In this study, images of 77 patients were retrospectively obtained from the cone beam computed tomography archive of the Department of Oral, Dental, and Maxillofacial Radiology at İnönü University Faculty of Dentistry. Patients over the age of 18 with unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia were included in the study. Radiographic evaluations included the analysis of condylar dimensions, joint spaces, articular eminence inclinations, glenoid fossa roof thickness, ramus length, and condyle shape parameters. Results: Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) between the normal maxillary sinus side and the hypoplastic maxillary sinus side in terms of condylar dimensions, joint spaces, articular eminence inclinations, glenoid fossa roof thickness, ramus length, and condyle shape. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia does not cause significant structural changes in temporomandibular joint morphology. Further studies with larger patient groups are needed to better understand this relationship. Keywords: Cone beam computed tomography, maxillary sinus hypoplasia, temporomandibular joint.