Trismus and odontogenic infection - A retrospective study

Abstract

Odontogenic infectionOdontogenic infections are polymicrobial, consisting of aerobic microorganisms, strict anaerobes and facultative anaerobes. It can either be localised or rapidly spread to the deep neck space causing space infection and need immediate emergency medical and surgical management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of odontogenic infection leading to trismus and its prevalence amongst patients visiting a university dental institution. 63 patients aged between 17 years old to 70 years old, whose details were obtained from the electronic database in Saveetha Dental College and Hospital from June 2019 till May 2020 were included in the study. All 63 patient records were assessed for the details such as age, sex, odontogenic infection type, odontogenic infection sources, space involved, and pain score (VAS). The right mandibular third molar is the most prevalent (25.4%) odontogenic infection source. Amongst space involved, Submasseteric space is the most common space infected (42.9%). When the pain score VAS is assessed, patients have a higher VAS score between 6.00 (33.5%) and 8.00 (38.1%), respectively. There is a positive correlation between pericoronitis and mandibular third molar teeth. There is also a positive correlation between pericoronitis and Submasseteric space involvement. In conclusion, our study revealed a positive association between odontogenic infection involving Submasseteric, Submandibular space and painful trismus.