Analysis of the Clinical Status and Treatment of Facial Cellulitis of Odontogenic Origin in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

The most common cause of the development of odontogenic infection is untreated dental caries, which initially leads to pulpitis. If an odontogenic infection is left untreated, it will pass through the limiting bone plate and will infiltrate deeper structures. Odontogenic infections are different in adults and children. The study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Pediatric Head and Neck Surgery of Upper Silesian Children’s Health Center in Katowice in the 2020–2022. We included 27 patients aged 2–16 in the study. Patients were diagnosed with an active, acute odontogenic inflammatory process in the head and neck area. We assessed pain, trismus, extraoral and intraoral swelling and the level of CRP [C Reactive Protein], WBC [White Blood Cells], NLR [Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio], D-dimers and Prealbumins. The results were analyzed in terms of the location of the source of inflammation: maxilla or mandible and the type of source of infection: deciduous tooth or permanent tooth. Deciduous teeth are more often the cause of odontogenic infection in the maxilla, while permanent teeth in the mandible. Trismus, extraoral, and intraoral swelling occurred in all infections caused by permanent teeth. The CRP and NLR ratio is statistically higher in infection, which originates from permanent teeth. The mean hospitalization time was also longer for infections from permanent teeth 3.42 days than for deciduous teeth 2.2 days. The varied clinical picture of odontogenic infections in children requires periodic analyzes of statistical data related to epidemiology, etiology, and symptomatology in order to update diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Facial Cellulitis and Skin Abscess: A Case of a Simple Bone Cyst in the Mandibular Bone

“…In facial cellulitis, it is necessary to consider not only the breakdown of the skin barrier but also to differentiate odontogenic cellulitis. Odontogenic facial cellulitis is often caused by dental caries [3,4,7]. This case did not show any dental caries or intraoral lesions; however, odontogenic facial cellulitis and abscess developed.…”

“…The main cause is dental caries that are not treated in time, which compromise the pulp, generally causing necrosis of the pulp of the affected dental structure [3]. Other causes include necrosis of the dental pulp as a result of trauma, periodontitis, or inflammation of the peri coronal tissues associated with difficult tooth eruption [4,7]. Odontogenic facial cellulitis caused by simple bone cysts is rare.…”

Facial Cellulitis of Unusual Odontogenic Origin

“…The alveolar maxillary bone is the primary local barrier. Most of the time, the infection spreads to the underlying soft tissues through the periosteum, the anatomical disposition of muscles and aponeuroses [4,5]. Facial cellulite is of dental origin in between 56 and 95% of cases [6].…”

Saliva-Based Protein Analysis in Pediatric Dentofacial Inflammation

“…This condition often results from untreated dental caries, abscesses, or periodontal disease. 1,2 Immediate dental and medical attention is crucial to prevent the infection from spreading and causing more serious health complications. 3 Anatomical differences that significantly impact the course of inflammatory processes in the facial tissues of the skull in children are associated with a lower degree of jaw bone calcification, the presence of wide marrow spaces with a well-developed vascular system, the presence of tooth buds, as well as the existence of a slit-like, undeveloped maxillary sinus and a greater amount of cancellous bone.…”