Odontogenic infection

Periapical radiograph showing peri-radicular radiolucency and bone loss caused by an odontogenic infection under the roots of two anterior teeth in a 30-year-old patient

An odontogenic infection is an infection that originates within a tooth or in the closely surrounding tissues.[1] The term is derived from odonto- (Ancient Greek: ὀδούς, odoús – 'tooth') and -genic (Ancient Greek: -γενής, -γενῶς; -genḗs, -genôs – 'birth'). The most common causes for odontogenic infection to be established are dental caries, deep fillings, failed root canal treatments, periodontal disease, and pericoronitis.[2] Odontogenic infection starts as localised infection and may remain localised to the region where it started, or spread into adjacent or distant areas.

It is estimated that 90–95% of all orofacial infections originate from the teeth or their supporting structures and are the most common infections in the oral and maxilofacial region.[3] Odontogenic infections can be severe if not treated and are associated with mortality rate of 10 to 40%.[4] Furthermore, about 70% of odontogenic infections occur as periapical inflammation, i.e. acute periapical periodontitis or a periapical abscess.[3] The next most common form of odontogenic infection is the periodontal abscess.[3] Despite being more common in underprivileged regions, odontogenic infections affect people from all over the world, even in developed countries. [5]

  1. ^ Jiménez, Y; Bagán, JV; Murillo, J; Poveda, R (2004). "Odontogenic infections. Complications. Systemic manifestations" (PDF). Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral y Cirugia Bucal. 9 Suppl: 143–7, 139–43. PMID 15580132.
  2. ^ Ogle, Orrett E. (April 2017). "Odontogenic Infections". Dental Clinics of North America. 61 (2): 235–252. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2016.11.004. ISSN 1558-0512. PMID 28317564.
  3. ^ a b c Fragiskos, Fragiskos D. (2007). Oral surgery. Berlin: Springer. pp. 205–206. ISBN 978-3-540-25184-2.
  4. ^ Bali, RishiKumar; Sharma, Parveen; Gaba, Shivani; Kaur, Avneet; Ghanghas, Priya (2015). "A review of complications of odontogenic infections". National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery. 6 (2): 136–43. doi:10.4103/0975-5950.183867. ISSN 0975-5950. PMC 4922222. PMID 27390486.
  5. ^ Filipe, L, et al. (January 2022). "Relationship between mysticism and severe odontogenic infections in Africa: what to do?". Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, and Oral Radiology. 123 (3): e51–e53. doi:10.1016/j.oooo.2022.01.008. PMID 35431178.