The Prevalence of Odontogenic Infections: An Analysis of Most Commonly Affected Teeth and Fascial Spaces

Abstract

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

   The odontogenic infections of maxillofacial region are considered among the most common and alarming infections due to their incidence, origin, higher rate of morbidity and plausible mortality. In literature, variations and poor quality of evidence compelled us to ascertain the frequency of commonly involved teeth and fascial spaces in patients having odontogenic infections. The  study will provide valuable insights into local patterns of these infections in study population emphasizing the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic infections.

OBJECTIVE:

To ascertain the frequency of commonly involved teeth and fascial spaces in patients having odontogenic infections visiting Azra Naheed Dental college/Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Dental Hospital, Lahore

METHODOLOGY:

   This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Azra Naheed Dental College/Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Dental Hospital from June 2022 to February 2024. Non-probability consecutive sampling was used. Total 87 patients with odontogenic infection were enrolled in the study by using non-probability consecutive sampling method. A questionnaire was used to record demographic and clinical data which were purpose-built. An interview of duration 5-10 minutes was conducted to collect the demographic data. Detailed case history, intraoral examination and extraoral examination was performed for presence and identification of signs and symptoms such as pain, tooth mobility, tooth apice tenderness, intraoral swelling, extra oral swelling, fever, malaise, trismus, dysphagia, and dyspnea etc.  The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant

RESULTS:

   In this study, symptoms of odontogenic infections of patients shows were 87(100%) pain, swelling 87(100%), fever in 46(52.87%), teeth involved shows 18(20.7%) upper teeth, 69(79.3%) lower, 18(20.7%) anterior, 69(79.3%) had posterior, 18(20.7%) had canine, 3^rd molar had 36(41.4%), spaces involved were submandibular in 41(47.1%).

CONCLUSION:

In this study pain, swelling, fever, and trismus were the commonest symptoms, dental caries as the commonest cause, teeth involved were lower, posterior and 3^rd molar with submandibular as the frequent space involved.

KEYWORDS:

Odontogenic infections, symptoms, teeth and spaces involved