Osteomyelitis of the jaw

Osteomyelitis of the jaw is an inflammation of the jaw bone tissue caused by an infection. A dangerous disease, fortunately quite rare.

The causative agent of this disease is pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Gram-negative bacteria, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The difficulty is in its severe course and serious complications. During remission, the inflammation affects not only the jaw tissues directly, but also the entire bone system.

[ 1 ]

Causes of osteomyelitis of the jaw

There are practically not many reasons and ways by which a virus or bacteria gets into “fertile ground” with the subsequent development of osteomyelitis of the jaw.

• Chronic diseases of viral and infectious nature.
• The underlying cause is a complex form of periodontitis with subsequent complications.
• An acute pathogenic infection that causes the inflammatory process.
• Through plasma (transfusion, injections...).
• Trauma: wounds, fractures.
• Much less often, the impetus for the disease is the temporomandibular joint, namely its dysfunction.

[ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Symptoms of osteomyelitis of the jaw

The main symptoms of this disease are similar to many others, but there are also differences, so the diagnosis should only be made by a certified specialist.

• Some of the symptoms are similar to poisoning: a general decrease in vitality, elevated temperature (more than 38 ^o C), irritability, poor sleep and headache.
• Acute pain in the area of the carious tooth, the pain intensifies, often becoming pulsating during pulpation.
• Pathological mobility of teeth adjacent to the affected one.
• Redness and swelling of the mucous membrane.
• Enlarged lymph nodes, painful to the touch.
• A blood test indicates an inflammatory process in the body.
• If the patient does not go to the clinic immediately, then the fistula through which the pus flows can already be visually differentiated. The pain sensations become dull, but the bone continues to die.

Classification of osteomyelitis of the jaws

[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Traumatic osteomyelitis

A disease that occurs as a consequence of jaw injuries or fractures. The injured area provides access for the virus to the bone, but the percentage of complications of this type is low.

A type of osteomyelitis of the jaw refers to complications that arise as a result of a fracture of the facial bone. Most often, this occurs with the lower jaw, but there are also isolated cases of damage to the upper jaw. Bone injury opens the passage for infection, which, under favorable conditions, begins to develop even further from the fracture gap area.

Therefore, if it has already happened that the jaw has been injured, it is necessary to do everything to prevent pathogenic flora from getting into the wound.

Osteomyelitis of the jaw after tooth extraction

Everything in our body is interconnected. The upper and lower jaws are closed by a single innervation, being branches of the trigeminal nerve (responsible for the sensitivity of the nerve endings of the face). When a dentist is forced to pull out a bad tooth, he also removes the dental nerve, while the nerve endings of the gum and periodontium remain and are irritated due to pain after tooth loss (the pain can be felt for up to a week).

If the pain does not go away for a longer period of time, you should immediately consult a dentist in order not to miss the development of osteomyelitis.

Hematogenous osteomyelitis

It is caused by inflammation that occurs as a result of tissue damage by an infection brought by the bloodstream. Plasma, when flowing through the vessels, captures the infection in the inflamed area and spreads it throughout the body. This type of disease most often develops on the basis of a chronic disease or a long-term source of infection. In this case, the inflammatory process goes in reverse order: the jaw bone is affected first, and then the tooth may be affected. This type of disease development is less common.

Radiation osteomyelitis of the jaw

Malignant tumor of the maxillofacial region. This diagnosis is not so rare in our time. Doctors have learned to fight this disease quite successfully. But its insidiousness lies not only in the possibility of the disease returning with the degeneration of cells into cancerous ones, but also in the consequences that the patient has to face after undergoing a course of chemo- and radiation therapy.

Radiation osteomyelitis of the jaw is a consequence of receiving, during treatment, a large dose of radiation and getting into the focus of action of a purulent pathogenic infection. The combination of these negative factors leads to the emergence of purulent-necrotic processes in the jaw. The probability of the occurrence of this lesion largely depends on the resistance of bone tissue to the ionizing radiation directed at it and the presence or absence of negative flora. That is, everything rests on the ability of the body, its immune system, to resist harmful external influences.

More often, doctors consider trauma (physical and caused by radiant energy) and infection to be the causes of post-radiation osteomyelitis of the jaw. Clinical manifestations of the acquired disease are slow, gradual destruction of bone tissue, accompanied by severe pain, followed by the appearance of fistulas, sequestration. If such a patient does not receive medical care in time, the consequences can be disastrous. The bone is destroyed so much that pathological fractures of the jaw can occur.

Odontogenic osteomyelitis of the jaws

The most common form of osteomyelitis of the jaw, which occurs as a result of serious complications in dental disease (for example, advanced dental caries). Today, this type of osteomyelitis is diagnosed in more than half of cases. The disease begins to gain momentum after infection enters the pulp through carious tissue and then to the tooth root. After the tooth root is affected, the infection also affects the adjacent jaw tissue. About 70% of lesions relate to the lower jaw. The main damaging bacteria that cause this type of disease are streptococci, staphylococci, and anaerobic bacteria. These pathogens enter the jaw tissue through bone canals, as well as through the lymphatic system.

A more common form of osteomyelitis of the jaw is its odontogenic variety, and both adults and children of different ages suffer from it. The cause of its occurrence is an infection that affects a carious tooth. And if you do not seek help from a dentist in a timely manner, who will remove dead areas, clean the tooth canal and put a filling, then the pathogenic flora in the oral cavity will give impetus to the development of inflammation and the formation of a purulent capsule in the bone tissue of the jaw, which leads to the development of odontogenic osteomyelitis of the jaws.

The anatomical features of the jaw are incomparable to any other area of the human body. Thanks to the teeth, it is in this area that the bone is in closest contact with a possible source of infection (the oral cavity) and a small puncture (caries) is enough for the virus to penetrate the bone tissue. There is a violation of the microcirculation of all processes, the necessary substances and microelements do not enter the tissue, and partial cell death begins.

An abscess is formed in the inflamed focus, provoked by the work of such microorganisms as white or golden staphylococcus, streptococcus and others. Adaptation to drugs and mutations give out a fairly large spectrum of anaerobic flora. This problem can manifest itself in a vague clinical picture of the disease, in an atypical human reaction to medications and in the manifestation of immunodeficiency.

They are also classified according to the stage of the disease: subacute, acute and chronic.

Acute osteomyelitis of the jaw is the body's response to infection. The symptoms of this stage are similar to many other diseases, but there are also differences:

• The patient feels weak and unwell.
• Attacks of headache begin.
• Sleep problems arise.
• An increase in temperature is observed.
• The appetite disappears. It is difficult for the patient to eat, since chewing food is accompanied by painful sensations.
• The mucous membrane of the oral cavity begins to gradually turn red.
• The infection affects the immune and metabolic systems, which is manifested by an increase in lymph nodes.
• Teeth adjacent to the site of infection become mobile.

When a diagnosis is made, treatment must be started immediately. This stage of the disease is dangerous not only because of the course of the disease, but also because of its complications. The spleen and liver are especially affected.

If the treatment started on time and was carried out at the proper level, then the disease moves to another stage - subacute osteomyelitis. At this stage, there are slightly different manifestations of the disease:

• In the affected bone tissue area, fistulas and dead skin areas are formed. At this stage, there is a partial outflow of pus and fluid - this dulls the severity of the symptoms. It seems to the patient that the disease is retreating, but the inflammation is gaining momentum, the danger to the body is increasing.

Later, the disease becomes chronic. This stage of osteomyelitis of the jaw is the most dangerous:

• For some period of time the patient feels almost recovered. But the disease does not sleep, and remission turns into a new exacerbation of osteomyelitis. Sequesters appear, new fistulas form.

Osteomyelitis of the mandible

This disease is the most frequently diagnosed by doctors when osteomyelitis is localized in the jaw area. The development of the disease often occurs due to the penetration of pathogenic flora through the lymph vessels and bone canals to the bone tissue of the lower jaw. Another way of penetration is through the pulp of a damaged tooth.

One of the first symptoms to appear is a decrease in the sensitivity of the receptors of the nerve endings of the lower lip and chin. The sensitivity of the diseased tooth also increases significantly. The pain when touched becomes more acute, pulsating. All this refers to the odontogenic form of the disease.

But the reason that can cause the development of osteomyelitis can also be a trauma to the jaw area, as well as its fracture - these root causes give impetus to the development of its traumatic form.

And the third type of disease is hematogenous. The infection gets to the site of inflammation through the blood. The cause of blood infection can be a simple injection or blood transfusion.

Osteomyelitis of the lower jaw exhibits all the symptoms observed in purulent fever. General intoxication of the body occurs, chills appear (especially in the evening), breathing and pulse become rapid. In the acute stage of the disease, the temperature jumps sharply, sometimes approaching critical values of 40 ° C. Painful sensations seem to spread, capturing an ever larger area: discomfort increases when chewing, it becomes difficult to swallow.

According to the severity level, this disease is divided into: mild, moderate and severe. They also distinguish, according to the size of the area involved in the inflammatory process: diffuse and limited. And also the division goes into osteomyelitis of the jaw that has passed without complications and the disease that has entailed significant complications.

Odontogenic osteomyelitis of the mandible

The odontogenic variety of this disease, according to medical observations, occurs much more often than all the others. The lion's share of all cases falls on odontogenic osteomyelitis of the lower jaw. The disease is caused by bacterial pathogenic flora, which through the affected canal (damage to the dental canal, caries and other violations of the integrity of the tooth) get into the area of the pulp and periodontium, provoking foci of inflammation.

Recently, the causative agents of bone inflammation are increasingly obligate anaerobic flora; until a certain time, the predominant bacteria were white and golden staphylococci, streptococci, varieties of rod-shaped bacteria...

But for inflammation to develop, the presence of a penetrating infection is not enough. Other factors are also necessary: a reduced, for whatever reason, immunity of the patient and a high degree of ability of a given infectious strain of microorganism or virus to infect the body. In small children, due to the still rather imperfect system of the body's defense, the scales are most often inclined towards the disease.

Traumatic osteomyelitis of the mandible

It often occurs with an injury or trauma that causes a fracture of the lower jaw (with the same damage to the upper jaw, such consequences do not often occur). Not every inflammatory process after damage to bone tissue can lead to osteomyelitis of the jaw. If the inflammatory process is localized only in the area of the primary injury and does not spread to peripheral areas, then it can be classified as focal suppuration on the bone. With adequate treatment, started at the incipient stage of the disease, this process is stopped fairly quickly and does not degenerate into the death of bone matter.

Any fracture does not manifest itself by itself. In parallel with it, the patient receives damage to soft tissues, a strong bruise. It does not do without hemorrhages, forming hematomas. This is a good moment for the introduction of a virus and further growth of phlegmon, or the appearance of an abscess. If you perform timely sanitation and open the abscess, support the victim with general strengthening therapy, you can stop the spread of the inflammatory process in a short time, without bringing it to necrotic manifestations. If the patient receives inadequate treatment or does not receive it at all, then the development of osteomyelitis is very high.

The main cause of traumatic osteomyelitis of the lower jaw is a violation of metabolic processes and microcirculation, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. The development of this disease is facilitated, first of all, by the patient's late visit to the doctor, or untimely and incorrect treatment, as well as concomitant other serious diseases and the patient's failure to observe oral hygiene.

Osteomyelitis of the maxilla

Osteomyelitis of the upper jaw, according to medical observations, occurs much less frequently, but cases of this disease still exist, so let us consider this case.

Medicine considers several ways of penetration of infection that affects the upper jaw.

• Hematogenous route. Pathogenic flora enters through plasma. This can happen with a simple injection, as well as in the case of a blood transfusion (the virus can be introduced with blood if the blood itself was infected, or sterility was compromised during the procedure).
• Lymphogenous pathway. Infection flow through the lymphatic system.
• Contact or rhinogenic. Penetration occurs from the oral cavity. This may be an inflammatory process that affects the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses (this may happen with chronic or acute rhinitis), as well as the penetration of pathogenic flora through the ducts of the glands through the periosteum.
• A newborn can "catch" this disease during childbirth during the application of forceps, or through infected maternal genitals. It can also happen during feeding, through nipples (if the mother suffers from mastitis). Failure to observe general hygiene for the baby is fraught with the penetration of infection from dirty toys or nipples, especially during the period when teeth begin to cut.

Osteomyelitis of the jaw is especially dangerous for infants, since the disease develops rapidly and the main thing is not to waste time, quickly and correctly diagnose, and immediately begin treatment. In this category of patients, this disease often manifests itself secondarily, as an abscess based on sepsis, less often - sepsis develops based on acute RVI (respiratory viral infection).

The main symptoms of the disease, which are the same for both small children and adults, with the only difference being that in infants these processes occur more rapidly and with pronounced manifestations:

• This disease in children begins suddenly. The temperature rises sharply to 39÷40 ^o C.
• The baby is capricious and doesn't want to eat.
• Swelling in the nose-cheek-eye area increases.
• During the first day, the eye slit closes completely, the upper lip becomes insensitive, the nasolabial fold disappears. The face becomes asymmetrical, as if distorted.
• The lymph nodes on the side of the viral infection increase in size.
• Over the next three days, swelling affects not only the face, but also the neck.
• The process of suppuration develops (in children in the tooth rudiments, in adults in the root system of the tooth). And the sequesters are rejected.
• Due to swelling, the nasal passage narrows or becomes blocked, which prevents normal breathing. Gradually, it begins to fill with purulent discharge.
• Already in the first or second day after infection, the skin in the area of swelling acquires a pink tint with a shiny texture. When touched, there is a sharp pain.
• Already on the first day, local infiltrates may appear on the alveolar process. The mucous membrane becomes hyperemic, softened (bone tissue begins to deteriorate) and increases in size. Fluctuation appears.
• Around the fifth day, a certain amount of sequesters are detected, fistulas begin to appear in the nasal cavity. They also form on the palate, in the area of the inner corner of the eye, in the area of the tooth germs. The upper jaw becomes pathologically mobile.
• Quite quickly, the inflammation also affects the eye socket. An abscess of the eyelids begins. Any movement causes pain. The eyeball becomes immobile – phlegmon of the eye socket develops.

The consequences of complications with osteomyelitis of the upper jaw can be terrible, especially for infants. This includes meningitis, sepsis, orbital phlegmon, pneumonia, lung and brain abscess, purulent pleurisy...

Acute osteomyelitis of the jaw

Doctors classify this disease as a non-specific infectious inflammatory disease. It has a number of characteristic symptoms, some of which can be both obligatory and optional (that is, such symptoms can manifest themselves, or they may not be observed).

The body reacts to the penetration of infection in this phase as follows:

• Decreased vitality.
• Pain in the head area.
• Chills appear.
• The temperature can be fixed at 37÷37.5°C or reach 40°C (this mostly applies to children).
• The heartbeat quickens.
• Intoxication of the body.
• Lowering blood pressure.
• There is a rather unpleasant smell coming from the mouth.
• The mucous membrane is hyperemic, and noticeable edema is observed.
• When touched, there is severe pain.
• There is a flow of purulent masses from under the gums.
• Pathological mobility of teeth in the area of inflammation may occur.

The patient's condition at this stage is mild, moderate and severe. Based on this, doctors prescribe therapeutic measures that correspond to this condition. •

• There is numbness in the tissues, their sensitivity is impaired.
• Blood tests show that there is an inflammatory process going on in the body.
• The lymph nodes are enlarged and become painful to the touch.
• After the tooth is removed and opened (first day), purulent discharge increases. No improvement in the patient's condition is observed.
• Only on the second day does the patient feel better, the inflammation subsides, and the amount of pus released decreases.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Acute odontogenic osteomyelitis of the jaws

Infectious-purulent lesion of the jaw bones, the source of which is a virus or infection that has penetrated the inflammation site due to dental caries, with subsequent complications. The infection affects by contact, with further expansion of the affected area and the formation of osteonecrosis (gradual death of bone matter).

In fact, acute odontogenic osteomyelitis of the jaws is nothing more than a complication that appears at an advanced stage of caries.

[ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Acute osteomyelitis of the mandible

As mentioned above, this disease most often affects the lower jaw. The doctor establishes a diagnosis for the patient based on a comprehensive examination. Primarily, this is based on the patient's complaint and a visual examination by a specialist. Then, radiography and laboratory tests are "connected".

The main symptoms in the acute form are identical, whether it is traumatic, odontogenic or hematogenous osteomyelitis. What they have in common is that you should not neglect the disease and expect that the process will “resolve” itself. The sooner the patient begins to receive medical care, the more gentle the therapy will be and the less destructive the consequences of inflammation for the body.

[ 17 ], [ 18 ]

Acute odontogenic osteomyelitis of the mandible

It is this type of disease, oddly enough, that is encountered most often. Have you neglected your teeth and are afraid to go to the dentist? Your cowardice can cause the disease. Carefully familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the disease. Perhaps this will serve as an impetus for you to visit the dentist.

[ 19 ]

Chronic osteomyelitis of the jaw

The chronic form of this disease is unpleasant not only because of the symptoms it exhibits, but also because the disease can progress with varying success (either fading away or becoming more severe again) over several months. New fistulas periodically appear and necrotic areas of bone tissue are rejected. The chronic form requires periodic observation by a specialist.

Chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible

The chronic form of the disease is often diagnosed by the end of the 4th week, when sequestration is formed and fistulas appear. The patient's health is consistently satisfactory. Temperature indicators and blood protein levels are normalized.

Doctors believe that the main reason for the transition from the acute form to the chronic form is the untimely relief of the acute stage of the disease (tooth extraction...).

[ 20 ], [ 21 ], [ 22 ]

Chronic odontogenic osteomyelitis of the jaws

Most often, children aged 3-12 years (the period of teeth eruption and replacement) and adults, whose mouths are mostly not sanitized, are susceptible to chronic odontogenic osteomyelitis of the jaws.

[ 23 ], [ 24 ], [ 25 ], [ 26 ]

Diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the jaw

The diagnosis should be made only by a specialist! And only after a comprehensive examination of the patient has been conducted. The main stages of diagnostics:

• Complaints of the patient.
• Visual examination of the patient.
• X-ray of the area of concern.
• Blood test.

Diagnosis of the disease is based on external symptoms and laboratory test results.

[ 27 ], [ 28 ], [ 29 ]

X-ray for osteomyelitis of the jaw

At first, it is problematic to detect the disease using X-ray. Only by the end of the first week will it be possible to see a blurred, somewhat transparent spot on the image, which indicates a change in the bone structure under the influence of purulent exudate.

Treatment of osteomyelitis of the jaw

Treatment of the disease in its acute form is based on the disclosure of suppuration, sanitation and drug therapy, which helps to eliminate peak manifestations in the inflammation focus. The tooth and bone fragments are necessarily removed from the fracture site, but the periosteum must be approached very carefully, it cannot be peeled off. The most unpleasant thing about this disease is that it is not possible to completely restore the tissue ligaments to their original form. It is not possible to completely epithelialize the wound, a cavity remains, forming a fistula, which cannot close spontaneously. The patient feels better, blood counts are normalized.

In this state, the affected area can exist for quite a long period of time, spontaneously, as a rule, not closing. The patient feels much better. The composition and parameters of the blood are normalized. And the process gradually turns into a subacute, and then chronic form.

Subsequent medical care is aimed at mobilizing the body's immune system. During this period, sequesters are formed, and bone callus is also formed.

Treatment of osteomyelitis of the lower jaw

As many years of experience show, it is the lower jaw that is most often affected.

Treatment of this disease begins, first of all, with sanitization of the oral cavity and wound cavity with antiseptic solutions to avoid re-infection of the infection site. Then, anti-inflammatory therapy begins.

• It is necessary to “cleanse the body” by carrying out detoxification measures.
• Eliminate unfavorable factors that affect metabolic processes in the body, and more specifically at the site of inflammation.
• There is a need to stimulate reparative processes to restore and work effectively.

Physiotherapy is also included. For example, the use of the “Plazon” device, which promotes wound healing and suppression of inflammatory manifestations using exogenous nitric oxide.

• The method of treatment using NO-therapy is well known. The advantages of its use are also beyond doubt:
• Suppressive effect on parasitic bacteria.
• Stimulation of phagocytosis, which is responsible not only for the destruction of particles foreign to the body, but also the absorption of biomaterial that, in certain situations, can become such.
• Works to improve blood microcirculation.
• Normalizes the conductivity of nerve endings.
• Regulates immune processes.
• Activates secretions that promote faster healing of wounds and elimination of inflammatory manifestations.
• Stimulates collagen (connective tissue) synthesis.
• Enhances epithelialization - spontaneous healing of a skin or mucous membrane wound with epithelium, closing the defect.

Treatment of osteomyelitis of the upper jaw

If the infection enters the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses through the hematogenous route due to maternal illnesses (mastitis, sepsis), then orbital complications occur somewhat later than the obvious symptoms of osteomyelitis of the upper jaw.

The radiograph shows a blurring of the jaw structure with lightening in the first days of the disease and the disappearance of the bone structure with the formation of a sequestrum at a later stage of the disease.

It is absolutely necessary to remove a tooth in case of osteomyelitis of the jaw, since the infection tends to spread to other healthy tissues, after which it is much more difficult to stop the process. After the removal, the doctor prescribes an early periosteotomy. This procedure involves an incision in the periosteum to freely remove the fluid formed as a result of the development of infection and tissue death - exudate. The doctor also prescribes a course of antibiotics and rinsing the cavity of the infected bone with antiseptic solutions. In addition, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. In severe cases, sequesters are removed surgically. Antibiotics and detoxification therapy (aimed at preventing poisoning of the body) are mandatory.

Treatment of osteomyelitis of the jaw with folk remedies

It is necessary to warn that this disease should be treated only with medication. The recipes below can only help the body fight the disease.

• Tincture of walnut. Pour 200 g of partitions from walnut shells with 500 ml of vodka. Infuse for two weeks in a dark place. Strain. Use 1 tbsp. per day.
• Drink one raw egg with 1 tablespoon of fish oil twice a day.
• In a liter jar, pour vodka over lilac flowers. Put in a dark place for ten days. Drink 30 drops three times a day or apply to the sore spot with compresses.

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the jaw

If the disease period is within 1.5 months, conservative methods are most often used in treatment. This is taking antibiotics with parallel stimulation of immune processes. Such treatment is effective for local chronic osteomyelitis that is not prone to expansion of the inflammatory zone.

If the disease has passed the 1.5 month mark and non-resolving sequesters are already observed, and the occurrence of fistulas does not stop, kidney dysfunctions begin to appear - these are indications for surgical intervention, that is, the doctor removes the sequesters. In the preoperative period, the patient receives therapy that maintains the body's resistance (ability to heal wounds). After the operation, antibiotics, vitamins, and physiotherapy are prescribed.

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible

It is necessary to remove the diseased tooth and make incisions on the periosteum to improve fluid drainage and sanitize the bone cavity with antimicrobial agents.

In this case, the introduction of a course of antibiotics is a definite treatment, which can last from 10 to 24 days, and general rehabilitation measures can stretch out for several months. Some doctors recommend hyperbaric oxygen to their patients (especially after irradiation of the lower jaw).

Antibiotics for osteomyelitis of the jaw

In this disease, antibiotics are prescribed unambiguously. They are administered intramuscularly or intravenously. But in very difficult cases, the patient receives them intra-arterially, endolymphatically. Penicillin or clindamycin are most often used.

Penicillin is rapidly absorbed into the plasma intramuscularly. It is administered at a rate of 0.1–0.3 U of penicillin per 1 ml of blood. For effective treatment, it must be administered every 4 hours.

Clindamycin. Adults are prescribed 150-50 mg every 6 hours. The course duration is individual for each patient, but not less than 10 days. For infants over 1 month old, the daily dose is 8-25 mg/kg of body weight. 3-4 times. For children over 1 month old, the drug is administered at a dose of 20-40 mg/kg of body weight per day.

To speed up the recovery process, the patient is prescribed methyluracil in a dosage of 1 tablet three times a day (course of treatment 10-14 days), as well as vitamins C (daily dose 1-2 g with a weekly course), B1, B6 (2 ml of 5% solution every other day) and A. The treatment protocol also includes plasma transfusion (portioned), physical therapy and proper nutrition.

[ 30 ], [ 31 ]

Prevention of osteomyelitis of the jaw

In any situation, preventive measures are capable, if not to completely prevent the disease, then to make it less destructive for the body. A person who is very attentive to his health is guaranteed, most significantly, protected from severe consequences, even if the disease has overtaken him.

Osteomyelitis of the jaw is no exception. In most cases, if it is not hematogenous osteomyelitis (which the patient will neither be able to predict nor prevent), then preventive measures are not so difficult.

• It is necessary to adhere to simple rules of personal hygiene (brush your teeth in the morning and evening, wash your hands before eating...).
• At the slightest discomfort in the oral cavity (teeth, gums...) it is necessary to consult a dentist. Do not delay the visit. Caries must be treated in a timely manner. Do not postpone prosthetics, if necessary.
• Don't leave upper respiratory tract infections to chance.
• Be careful and cautious. Avoid injury to the face (jaw).

Prognosis of osteomyelitis of the jaw

If the patient has contacted a specialist at the clinic in a timely manner, then the prognosis of osteomyelitis of the jaw is mostly positive. If the patient has been admitted to the hospital in an acute form of the disease, then it is difficult to predict anything for sure. After all, it is unknown how the body itself will work, how much internal strength it will have to fight the disease. Complications that may arise during treatment are varied.

• Septic shock may occur as a consequence of intoxication of the body.
• Acute pulmonary failure.
• A purulent infection can lead to phlebitis of the facial veins.
• Pulmonary and brain abscesses.
• Meningoencephalitis and meningitis.
• There is a high risk of developing sepsis.
• Many of the above diagnoses can also lead to death.
• Also, with significant bone lesions, there is a possibility of a pathological fracture or pseudoarthrosis, which always leads to jaw deformation.

Having carefully read the topic of the article, you can learn a lot about osteomyelitis of the jaw. The main thing is to draw the right conclusions for yourself. In any situation, preventive measures come first, which will help protect you from this rather unpleasant and insidious disease. You just need to live and enjoy, but at the same time it is necessary to unobtrusively organize your life so that the above-mentioned measures become an integral part of your existence. If the disease still makes itself known, call an ambulance or immediately contact a doctor. Only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. Timely treatment at the clinic will not only stop the disease at a milder stage, but may also save your life.