An unusual case of maxillary osteomyelitis in a young female

Abstract

Osteomyelitis of facial bones is an uncommon condition. Maxillary osteomyelitis is rare compared to mandibular osteomyelitis because the extensive blood supply and strut-like bone of the maxilla make it less vulnerable to chronic infections. We report an unusual case of maxillary osteomyelitis involving the right half of the maxilla in a 27-year-old, systemically healthy female. She reported with pain in the upper right region of the jaw since 1 year. Her past dental history revealed that she underwent dental extraction 1 year back in the same region due to pain and mobility of teeth. Intraoral examination revealed exposed necrotic bone in the right maxillary region with mobility of teeth and pus discharge. Radiographic investigations confirmed the diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the right maxilla. The patient was advised hemimaxillectomy, following which the patient was given a surgical and later a permanent obturator to close the surgical defect.