Dental Infection Research Articles

DESCRIPTION OF ODONTOGENIC INFECTIONS RELATED TO ORAL HYGIENE AT SDN 3 KALIBAWANG WONOSOBO INDONESIA

Odontogenic infection is a disease of the oral cavity, the leading cause of caries and periodontal disease. Inadequate ability to brush teeth is one of the causes of this pathological condition. This study aims to determine the description of odontogenic infections at SDN 3 Kalibawang, Kalibawang District, Wonosobo Indonesia. The research procedure used a total sampling technique, and the research variable was students at SDN 3 Kalibawang Wonosobo who experienced odontogenic infections. The tools used in this research were an Android smartphone, the HI BOGI application, and Microsoft Excel. Results odontogenic infections at the school were 70.21% positive in 33 students. The severity of untreated caries by gender: boys are bigger at 61.7%, while girls are 36.3%. Kalibawang State Elementary School 3, Wonosobo Regency, tested positive for an odontogenic infection, one of the causes of which could be triggered by inadequate tooth brushing.

Halitosis occurrence due to systemic disease and medication

Background: Halitosis, a term originating from "halitisus" and the Greek suffix "osis," refers to malodorous breath. It is a common problem impacting individuals globally, with prevalence estimates ranging from 24% to 65%. Dental issues, dry mouth, infections, medications, and systemic diseases can contribute to halitosis. Notably, systemic conditions like kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, respiratory infections, and gastritis can produce distinct odors in the mouth. The management of halitosis focuses on identifying and addressing underlying causes, with intraoral interventions like oral hygiene measures and extraoral treatments such as medical management based on the etiology. Objectives: To review and clarify association between halitosis with systemic diseases and medication. Conclusion: This study reveals a notable correlation between halitosis and systemic diseases or medication. Halitosis, a common occurrence influenced by various factors, appears to have a strong association with systemic ailments and medication usage.

Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis in Healthy Young Adults: The Fatal Consequence of the Delayed Help

Introduction: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is one of the most lethal forms of acute mediastinitis. It originates from an odontogenic or deep neck infection, which descends to the mediastinum through the fascial planes. It is a rare condition, but mortality rates remain high, especially in the presence of comorbidities or predisposing factors. Delay in diagnosis has been shown to be one of the most important factors for the disease outcome. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment by a multidisciplinary team are of utmost importance. Case series: Four healthy young males with descending necrotizing mediastinitis were treated at our institution. None of them had any comorbidities, but all of them waited between 3 and 4 days before seeking medical help. Upon their arrival at the hospital, in addition to the presence of a severe neck infection, the presence of mediastinitis was also found. Despite the timely surgical treatment of both the source of the infection and the mediastinitis, three of the four cases had a fatal outcome. Conclusion: We believe that the time factor is of greater importance for the outcome of acute descending mediastinitis than the factors of age and presence of accompanying diseases. Proper and rapid treatment by a multidisciplinary team is essential, even for young and healthy people.

Retrospective study of the clinical significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in 79 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis.

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease characterized by multiple vesicles, pustules, and erythematous plaques on the palms and soles. The exacerbation of PPP is strongly associated with focal infections, such as tonsillitis, dental infections, and sinusitis, in Japan. Recently, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been widely used as a convenient and useful marker for clinical conditions and various diseases; however, an association between PPP and NLR has not yet been established. We retrospectively analyzed 79 patients with PPP from our hospital to evaluate the clinical significance of the NLR. The average NLR value in patients with PPP was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (2.30 ± 1.02 vs 1.69 ± 0.45, P < 0.001). A comparative analysis of patients with PPP with and without infectious complications showed that there was a statistical difference in the NLR between patients with PPP with and without focal infections, whereas no significant difference was found for metal allergy, smoking, and pustulotic arthro-osteitis. Multivariate analysis indicated that the NLR was significantly associated with focal infections (odds ratio = 18.38, 95% confidence interval 3.86-87.35, P < 0.001). The NLR was also significantly correlated with C-reactive protein levels (P = 0.013, r = 0.2857). Interestingly, after symptom improvement, the NLR significantly decreased from the baseline levels. Furthermore, statistical analysis using the Youden's index revealed that an NLR of 2.28 or higher was associated with the risk of any focal infections in patients with PPP. These results suggest that the NLR has potential applications as a biomarker of the presence of focal infections in patients with PPP.

Difficult airway due to acute necrotizing mediastinitis: a case report

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) due to odontogenic or oropharyngeal infections can change the airway anatomy and cause difficult intubation. A 56-year-old female patient, who was followed up for dental abscess, was taken to emergency surgery due to DNM. The patient with widespread edema on the face could only be intubated with a gamma elastic bougie. it should be kept in mind that patients with oropharyngeal infection and mediastinitis may have intubation difficulties and tendency to airway trauma, and it is important to use airway instruments carefully in these patients.

Pathogenesis of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: Odontogenic Infection-Preceding Type and Osteonecrosis-Preceding Type.

Introduction Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) develops from odontogenic infection. However, there are also some cases of MRONJ developing from sites with no teeth, no root canal lesions, or no periodontal disease. This study aimed to retrospectively review radiographic images of MRONJ cases and examine the differences in characteristics between MRONJ suspected to be related to dental infection (odontogenic MRONJ) and MRONJ that occurred without dental involvement or of unknown cause (non-odontogenic MRONJ). Materials and methods One hundred and forty-five patients were diagnosed with MRONJat Kansai Medical University Hospital and Kansai Medical University Medical Center. The following variables were investigated: sex, age, primary disease, MRONJ site, body mass index, smoking habit, diabetes, corticosteroids, type of antiresorptive agent, administration period, CT findings (separation of sequestrum, osteolysis, periosteal reaction, and osteosclerosis), trigger, leukocytes, neutrocytes, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, serum albumin, and serum creatinine levels. Results In the univariate analysis, significant differences between odontogenic and non-odontogenic MRONJs were found in patients whose primary disease was malignancy, receiving denosumab (DMB), and with short administration period of antiresorptive agent, no osteolysis, periosteal reaction, and serum creatinine level. In multivariate analysis, non-odontogenic MRONJ was significantly more common in patients with no osteolysis and with periosteal reaction. Conclusion Non-odontogenic MRONJ tends to occur more frequently in patients treated with high-dose DMB, and there were significantly more cases of non-osteolytic MRONJ without radiographic evidence of osteolysis or with periosteal reactions.

Conservative management of complicated retropharyngeal abscess with Antitubercular Therapy

Retropharyngeal abscess, the infection of deep neck spaces, extends from the base of the skull to the posterior mediastinum. It develops as a sequela of dental infection, upper respiratory tract infection, or any interventional procedure like laryngoscopy, endotracheal intubation, etc. Retropharyngeal abscess is a rare presentation of Tuberculosis (TB), with an annual incidence rate of 2.64 per 100,000 population, and gender-based incidence rates of 3.34 for males, and 1.94 for females per 100,000 population.1 It, as a part of head and neck TB, has a prevalence of 0.1-1% among all forms of TB. If not managed timely, it may lead to the spread of its infection to the mediastinum, which can be life-threatening at times, owing to airway compromission and other catastrophic complications like mediastinitis, mediastinal abscess, pericarditis, pyopneumothorax pleuritis and empyema. We hereby present a case of a middle-aged woman diagnosed with a complicated retropharyngeal abscess but managed conservatively with Antitubercular Therapy (ATT).

Herbal Alternatives for Oral Health: Mechanistic Exploration with their Market Potential

The utilization of customary methods for oral cleanliness maintenance has a long-written history. Herbs are making a comeback all over the world. Herbal extracts have been used in dentistry to alleviate pain as antimicrobial plaque specialists, to delay receptor arrival, and as germicides, cancer prevention agents, antimicrobials, antifungals, antibacterial, antiviral, and analgesics. Current article gives an outline of different natural products used in oral care with their impacts on oral health, restorative actions, applications, and marketed products. This article also highlights mechanistic need of oral cleanliness and the different dental diseases associated with it. The regular phytochemicals could offer a successful anti-microbial and address ways to deal with avoidance and restorative systems for different dental infections. There are different herbal formulations available on the market for oral care such as paste, mouthwash, gargles, gels, etc. creating need for awareness of consumers towards the herbal products. In these review, we have also discussed the commercial aspect of the herbal dental products along with assessment of side effects and toxicity of these herbs.

Maxillofacial Abscess et Causa Odontogenic Infection: A Case Report

Background: Odontogenic infection is an infection that occurs in the oral cavity caused by carious teeth and periodontal disease where the disease can spread to surrounding tissues to the face, jaw and neck. Maxillofacial abscess is a manifestation of periapical or periodontal infection. incicus, canicus or molar teeth, where periapical infection is the most frequent source of odontogenic infection compared to periodontal. Inflammation or damage to chronic dental problems can cause complications of abscesses in the surrounding area. The main complaint that causes sufferers to come to the hospital is pain in the abscess area. These complaints can also be accompanied by trismus, dysphagia, stridor caused by compression of the trachea, and even respiratory tract obstruction. Objective: To determine the progression of maxillofacial abscess so that medical management can be provided up to surgical incision and drainage. Case report: We report 2 cases of maxillofacial abscess due to odontogenic infection with management according to the progression of each case. Conclusion: The most common cause or etiology that can cause maxillofacial abscess is toothache. Management of maxillofacial abscesses begins with empirical antibiotics, which is the first step to reduce bacterial infections that produce beta lactamase. In maxillofacial abscesses, medical therapy can be given in the form of antibiotics combined with ceftriaxone with metronidazole, or meropenem with metronidazole and termination measures in the form of incision and drainage. Treatment can be chosen based on the presence or absence of warning signs and signs of complications. Incision and drainage is performed when complaints do not improve after administration of antibiotics, multiple abscesses and airway obstruction threaten the patient's life.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Odontogenic Cervicofacial Infections in a Single Center in Greece.

Odontogenic cervicofacial infections are still an ongoing problem, requiring immediate hospital admittance and management. The aim of this studyis to reflect the number of patients with cervicofacial infections who were admitted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period in a single, point of reference center in Northern Greeceas well as analyze the quantitative and qualitative parameters of patient characteristics and management data. This was a retrospective cohort study that included all the patients with cervicofacial infections who were admitted to our unit during the COVID-19 pandemic, specificallybetween 2020 and 2021. For comparative reasons, patients admitted with cervicofacial infections between 2019 and 2020 (pre-COVID period) were analyzed. In total, 341 patients fulfilled the criteria for this study. Specifically, the number of admitted patients was 151 in the pre-COVID era instead of 190 patients in the pandemic. The mean age of the patients was 45.3 years, with a slight male predominance (54.7% males to 45.3%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 2.5 days in the pre-COVID period instead of 3.42 days in the pandemic. Interestingly, in the pandemic, eight times more patients were admitted to the ICU post-operatively, in contrast to the pre-COVID period (23 vs 3 patients). Also in the COVID period, almost 54.9% of the patients presented with fever and 49.6% with trismus. Moreover, the submandibular space involvement was the most common space of infection in both COVID and pre-COVID groups with (58.9% and 49.7%) respectively.In one-third of all cases, a post-extraction infection of a third molar was the main cause of abscess. Cervicofacial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared with more severe symptoms and resulted in an increased number of patients who needed admittance to the intensive care unit, in contrast to the pre-COVID era. Also, the mean length of stay was increased for a day at the same period. This study could be used as an example for further research, in case of similar pandemic situations in the future.

Revascularisation in Immature Permanent Teeth – A Case Series

Abstract Immature permanent teeth with developing, root apices with dental pulp infections resulting from caries or trauma represent a formidable clinical challenge. Biologically based principles of regenerative endodontic procedures in the treatment of immature, necrotic teeth have replaced the traditional ‘apexification’ procedures. Revascularisation by induction of apical bleeding is a potential source of stem cells and it creates a blood clot that would act as a biological scaffold for the recruited stem cells which in turn aids in the continued root maturation. The purpose of this case series was to investigate the outcome of the pulpal revascularisation procedure on five immature permanent teeth with or without apical periodontitis. Induction of blood clot was the technique selected for root closure if the tooth was asymptomatic. Apexification was initiated if the tooth remains symptomatic. Out of the five teeth selected for the study, revascularisation was successful, and continued root-end closure was obtained in four teeth. Revascularisation technique in immature permanent teeth offers clinicians’ great potential to avoid the need for traditional apexification procedures.

Examining Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Implementation in Carceral Settings.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that inequitably affects minoritized populations, including Black, Latinx, and Indigenous people-especially in carceral settings-and is largely driven by inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing practices. People whose identities are minoritized are more likely to be incarcerated, and people who are incarcerated experience higher disease risk than people who are not incarcerated. This article draws on a case of dental infection suffered by a woman who is incarcerated to consider key ethical and clinical complexities of antimicrobial prescribing in carceral settings.

Ludwig's angina asociate with acute mediastinitis as a consequence of a non odontogenic infection. Case report. Instituto de prevision social

El 70-90% de los casos de angina de Ludwig se deben a procesos infecciosos de origen dental. Un menor porcentaje se deben a casos como: sialoadenitis, abscesos amigdalinos o trauma maxilofacial. Existen pocos reportes de casos de orígenes no odontogénicos, constituyendo este origen como raro. El tratamiento es similar en ambos casos, teniendo como claves: el diagnóstico temprano, antibioticoterapia dirigida y drenaje quirúrgico oportuno.

Etiology and Demographic Distribution of Odontogenic Abscesses in the Maxillofacial Area in Patients Over 18 Years of Age: A Five-Year Retrospective Study.

Introduction Despite the constant development of medicine and the increasing accessibility to medical specialists, in the first quarter of the 21st century, odontogenic abscesses remain one of the leading causes of emergency hospitalization in maxillofacial surgery clinics. Because of the serious and lethal complications that this type of suppurative infection can lead to if not treated promptly, there is a need for constant updating of the knowledge of its origin, which is precisely what is addressed in this original article. Materials and methods It reports on a retrospective study conducted over a five-year period (2018-2023), during which 705 patients aged 18 years and older with a confirmed diagnosis of odontogenic soft tissue abscess of the head and neck underwent emergency surgery. Results The average age of the patients studied was 41 years, with the oldest being an 82-year-old woman. The proportion of males in the study population was higher - 54.18%. Young patients (18-44 years) were the most affected, with a total of 364 patients (213 males and 151 females), while the proportion of old people (75 years of age and older) was the lowest, with a total of 15 patients, including seven males and eight females. The first molars of both jaws (16, 26, 36 and 46) were the cause of the suppurative bacterial infection in the highest number among our study patients - 208 out of 705 (29.5%). Central incisors (teeth 11, 21, 31 and 41) were the least frequent direct cause of odontogenic infection, accounting for only 17 cases out of 705 (2.41%). Discussion The most logical reason for the decrease in the number of patients with odontogenic abscesses with increasing age is tooth loss in older individuals. Our study confirmed the knowledge that the first mandibular molars are the most common teeth leading to the formation of purulent exudate in the adjacent mandibular soft tissues. However, in contrast to the well-known fact for the maxilla that canines are the most frequent etiologic factor for the occurrence of odontogenic abscesses, we conclude that again the first molars (teeth 16 and 26) outnumber the other teeth of the maxillary dentition, with canines outnumbering only incisors. The teeth of the lower jaw are the cause of more than twice as many exudative infections as those of the upper jaw - the ratio between them is 2.54:1. Conclusions Knowledge of odontogenic abscesses - their demographic distribution, frequency and etiology, their diagnosis and treatment - is the basis for the prediction and treatment outcome of these diseases, mainly affecting young people. Their treatment is both surgical in order to evacuate the suppurative focus, and antibacterial.

Buccal Space Infection- A Case Report

Space infections have become a very common scenario in the rural areas, due to the poor education and awareness of management of dental infections. When ignored for a long time, a simple dental decay can turn into a painful and life-threatening space infection. Here, we present a case report on buccal space infection, its diagnosis and management.

Pediatric Maxillofacial Infections During COVID-19: What Have We Learned?

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected healthcare systems worldwide, and the field of dentistry is no exception. Odontogenic infections in pediatric patients pose unique challenges to treatment and diagnosis. PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and treatment of pediatric maxillofacial odontogenic infections during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19. Study design, setting, and sampleThis retrospective cohort study included all pediatric patients (0-18 years) who visited the emergency department (ED) at Tzafon Medical Center, Israel, between March 2020 and February 2021 (COVID-19), or between March 2018 and February 2020 (Pre-COVID-19), and were diagnosed with maxillofacial odontogenic infections. Patients with missing demographic data and patients who did not complete the medical examination were excluded. Predictor/exposure/independent variableThe exposure variable was the date of presentation, categorized as COVID-19 or pre-COVID-19. Main outcome variable(s)The main outcome variables were the proportion of patients diagnosed with odontogenic infections, hospitalization rate, treatment methods, and length of hospital stay (LOS). CovariatesCovariates included patient demographics, involved dentition and associated spaces, and the administration of antibiotics before ED arrival. AnalysesFisher exact test and Pearson's chi-squared test were applied to assess differences in categorical variables. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for independent variables. A logistic regression model was used to predict outcome variables. P-values were two-tailed and statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. ResultsThe study sample comprised 471 patients: 357 (76%) in the pre-COVID-19 period and 114 (24%) during COVID-19. The relative-risk of visits to the ED out of total oral and maxillofacial ED visits was lower during COVID-19 (RR=0.65, p=0.0001). The hospitalization rate increased from 72% (257 patients) pre-COVID-19 to 86.8% (99 patients) during the COVID-19 period (p=0.001). LOS during Covid-19 was significantly shorter than pre-COVID-19 (p<0.001). ConclusionsThe findings of this study reveal a significant reduction in odontogenic infection incidents referred to the ED during the pandemic. This implies that many of these incidents can be successfully treated in community healthcare settings, without referral to the ED.

Evaluation of clinical efficacy of scaling and root planing with copper nanoparticles gel and/or chlorhexidine gel in patients with periodontitis: A randomized control trial

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria to medications can be resolved using nanotechnology. Resistance to antibiotic mechanisms, such as regulation of permeability, multi-drug efflux pumps, antibiotic disintegration, and target area attraction, are dealt with by nanoparticles. These NPs are composed of Ag and Cu as heavy metals. Being both an essential nutrient as well as an especially hazardous matter, copper represents the two poles of the survival range for microorganisms. Because copper fittings and work surfaces are capable of eliminating methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) to prevent cross-contamination,they act as an additional obstacle. Additional research is needed, as the mode of action of nanoparticles is not fully understood. Existing information concerning NPs encourages further research to explore their use in the control of dental infections.

Designing of a multi-epitopes based vaccine against Haemophilius parainfluenzae and its validation through integrated computational approaches.

Haemophilus parainfluenzae is a Gram-negative opportunist pathogen within the mucus of the nose and mouth without significant symptoms and has an ability to cause various infections ranging from ear, eye, and sinus to pneumonia. A concerning development is the increasing resistance of H. parainfluenzae to beta-lactam antibiotics, with the potential to cause dental infections or abscesses. The principal objective of this investigation is to utilize bioinformatics and immuno-informatic methodologies in the development of a candidate multi-epitope Vaccine. The investigation focuses on identifying potential epitopes for both B cells (B lymphocytes) and T cells (helper T lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes) based on high non-toxic and non-allergenic characteristics. The selection process involves identifying human leukocyte antigen alleles demonstrating strong associations with recognized antigenic and overlapping epitopes. Notably, the chosen alleles aim to provide coverage for 90% of the global population. Multi-epitope constructs were designed by using suitable linker sequences. To enhance the immunological potential, an adjuvant sequence was incorporated using the EAAAK linker. The final vaccine construct, comprising 344 amino acids, was achieved after the addition of adjuvants and linkers. This multi-epitope Vaccine demonstrates notable antigenicity and possesses favorable physiochemical characteristics. The three-dimensional conformation underwent modeling and refinement, validated through in-silico methods. Additionally, a protein-protein molecular docking analysis was conducted to predict effective binding poses between the multi-epitope Vaccine and the Toll-like receptor 4 protein. The Molecular Dynamics (MD) investigation of the docked TLR4-vaccine complex demonstrated consistent stability over the simulation period, primarily attributed to electrostatic energy. The docked complex displayed minimal deformation and enhanced rigidity in the motion of residues during the dynamic simulation. Furthermore, codon translational optimization and computational cloning was performed to ensure the reliability and proper expression of the multi-Epitope Vaccine. It is crucial to emphasize that despite these computational validations, experimental research in the laboratory is imperative to demonstrate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the developed vaccine. This would involve practical assessments to ascertain the real-world effectiveness of the multi-epitope Vaccine.

Perceptions of general practitioners towards managing dental presentations in Australia: a qualitative study

Background Patients presenting with dental pain are common in general practice, despite dental infections being most appropriately managed with dental treatment to address the cause of the infection. Although antibiotics are not appropriate for the management of localised toothache without signs of systemic spread, general practitioners (GPs) often prescribe antibiotics and analgesics for the management of dental pain. The aim of this study was to explore GPs’ perceptions and management of dental presentations in Australia. Methods Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs across Victoria, Australia, between October 2022 and January 2023. Data were thematically analysed. Results The study found that dental pain was the most common presenting complaint for patients attending general practice with a dental problem. Five major themes were identified in this study: knowledge, beliefs about capabilities, emotion, environmental context and resources, and social influences/social professional role and identity. In terms of knowledge and capabilities, GPs would advise patients to seek dental care, as they are aware that antibiotics would not resolve the underlying issue. Challenges for GPs included limited training in oral and dental treatment, as well as emotions, such as patient anxiety and phobia resulting in patients seeking dental care through a GP rather than a dentist. Barriers due to the context, such as access to dental care, long waiting lists within the public dental system and cost, were some of the reasons patients present to general practice rather than a seeing a dentist. Furthermore, issues that influenced GPs’ antibiotic prescribing included patients’ expectations for antibiotics to treat their dental pain, as well as dentists advising their patients to attend their GP for antibiotics prior to dental treatment. Conclusions This study identified factors that influenced GPs’ management of patients with dental conditions. To address these issues, it is imperative to develop interventions addressing patients’ knowledge around oral health, as well as providing improved access to dental care for these patients.

Abscess Lodged Within the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Secondary to Septic Arthritis

In deep neck space infections, structures within the fascial compartments may become compromised, leading to neurovascular, bony, or airway issues. Most commonly, infections of the oral cavity, face, or superficial neck spread through the lymphatics into the deeper tissues, causing lymphadenopathy and suppurative fluid collection leading to abscess formation. While some neck abscesses occur idiopathically, a retrospective review found that dental infection was the most common etiology (43%), followed by intravenous (IV) drug use (12%) and tonsillitis (6%). In contrast, our patient denied IV drug usage and had no significant medical or dental history that could account for her symptoms. Instead, she developed her neck abscess secondary to septic arthritis of the knee. Although synchronous localized infection of multiple sites is possible, cultures taken from the knee and the neck were both sensitive to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), indicating that the abscess likely formed secondary to septic arthritis. Furthermore, the patient’s history of diabetes likely contributed to the progression of the infection. Rarely does a knee infection travel hematogenously and seed within the neck. Moreover, the abscess was lodged within the middle of the sternocleidomastoid muscle rather than within the fascial compartments. Physicians in the future should be aware of this distinct presentation of deep neck space abscesses.