Mouth-antral connection (synonyms: MAV; oroantral connection; ICD-10 T81: complications of surgery, not elsewhere classified) is an open connection between the oral and maxillary sinuses, and rarely between the oral and nasal cavities.
A MAV usually develops as a complication of surgical procedures – tooth extractions (tooth removal) or root tip resections (removal (resection) of a root tip (apex) of the tooth) – due to unfavorable anatomical conditions and is usually closed intraoperatively. If the connection persists longer, it is a chronic oral-antral connection.
The prevalence of maxillary sinus opening is approximately 5% of all extractions in the upper posterior region. The first molars (molar teeth) are most frequently affected, followed by the second molars and the second premolars (small molar teeth).
Course and prognosis: Surgical plastic coverage of an oral-antral junction is not always successful and entails a repeat, more technically complex procedure.
Comorbidities (concomitant diseases): a prolonged chronic mouth-antrum connection is usually worsened by sinusitis maxillaris (sinusitis).
