Trismus and odontogenic infection-a retrospective study

Abstract

Odontogenic infections are polymicrobial, consisting of aerobic microorgan-isms, 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 tris-mus and its prevalence amongst patients visiting a university dental institu-tion. 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 data were analysed. Results showed that in the odontogenic infection types, pericoronitis has a higher prevalence with 42.9%. 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 Submas-seteric space involvement. In conclusion, our study revealed a positive association between odontogenic infection involving Submasseteric, Submandibu-lar space and painful trismus.