Toothache and temporomandibular disorder-like symptoms as red flags for maxillary sinus carcinoma.

A case of a patient with left maxillary molar pain unresponsive to standard dental treatment is presented. Advanced imaging revealed an aggressive lesion in the maxillary sinus with associated bone destruction, soft tissue extension, and diffusion restriction suggestive of malignancy. The lesion was subsequently confirmed as maxillary sinus carcinoma. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with nonspecific temporomandibular disorder-like symptoms and emphasizes the importance of recognizing red flags as prompts for cross-sectional imaging and specialist referral, which are essential for ensuring an accurate diagnosis and improving clinical outcomes in patients with atypical or refractory orofacial pain.