Investigation of the Effect of Unilateral Maxillary Sinus Hypoplasia on Temporomandibular Joint Morphology

Objective: Maxillary sinus hypoplasia is frequently discovered by accident and is typically asymptomatic. This study aims to assess how temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology is affected by unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia. Methods: For this study, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images in the radiology archive of the Department of Oral, Dental, and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, İnönü University, were retrospectively reviewed. The study included 77 patients (51 female, 26 male) aged 18-73 years with unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia. The patients’ articular eminence angles, glenoid fossa root thickness, joint spaces, ramus lengths, condyle sizes, and condyle shapes were evaluated and compared bilaterally. Results: Condylar dimensions, joint spaces, articular eminence inclinations, glenoid fossa roof thickness, ramus length, and condyle shape did not significantly differ (p>0.05) between the hypoplastic and normal maxillary sinus sides. Conclusion: The study’s findings show that maxillary sinus hypoplasia has no discernible impact on TMJ morphology; hence, this anatomical variation does not result in appreciable morphological alterations in the joint structure.