1. What are facial space infections?
- Teeth related orofacial infections arise either from dental caries or periodontal infections that have extended beyond the alveolar bone to involve the facial spaces around the face and oral cavity. The infections range from simple superficial abscess to deep infections in the neck; some resolving with little consequences and some lead to life-threatening conditions.
- Facial spaces do not exist in a normal healthy individual and these are latent spaces created by distention of the tissue secondary to the infection from the dental pulp, periodontal tissues and the bone where the infection perforates the cortical plate and discharge into the surrounding tissues.
- Facial spaces are potential spaces between the layers of the facia in the skin and it represents the major pathway for spread of infections from a primary area to other complicated areas
Who is responsible for this condition and how does this happen?
- The microbial culture showed microorganisms that has mixed aerobic and anaerobic gram positive cocci and anaerobic gram negative rods.
- It happens mainly by the colonization of the microorganisms. When the host is immunocompromised the microorganism will have a tendency to migrate from the tooth to the underlying bone and muscles and once it traverses from the localized area due to the increase in the microorganisms and increase in the pressure of the areas there will be swelling seen on the area with/without accumulation of pus.
- If not addressed at an early stage then these will spread to other areas which will make it compromised and lead to intense procedures to cure the condition.