Acute Osteomyelitis of the Jaws — Potential Sources of
Infection
Peri-apical infection
A periodontal pocket involved in a fracture
Acute gingivitis or pericoronitis (even more rarely)
Penetrating, contaminated injuries (open fractures or
gunshot wounds)
Important Predisposing Conditions for Osteomyelitis
Local Damage to / Disease of the Jaws
Fractures, including gunshot wounds
Radiation damage
Paget’s disease
Osteopetrosis
Impaired Immune Defences
Acute leukaemia
Poorly-controlled diabetes mellitus
Sickle cell anaemia
Chronic alcoholism or malnutrition
AIDS
Infection from micro-organisms with great virulence.
In such cases, even a peri-apical abscess may be
implicated in osteomyelitis.
Acute Osteomyelitis of the Jaws — Key Features
Mandible mainly affected, usually in adult males
Infection of dental origin – anærobes are important
Pain and swelling of jaw
Teeth in the area are tender; gingivæ (gums) are red
and swollen
Sometimes paræsthesia of the lip
Minimal systemic upset
After about 10 days, X-rays show ‘moth-eaten’
pattern of bone destruction
Good response to prompt antibiotic treatment and
debridement
