An Evaluation of Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment and Complications of Odontogenic Infections: a retrospective study of 20 years

Contribute to the understanding of the clinical course of patients admitted with odontogenic infections.

Five hundred and seventy-three medical records were evaluated between 1st January 2002 and 31st December 2023 in a cohort study. All patients diagnosed with odontogenic infections, regardless of age, gender, race, or other demographic classifications, were included. Date of first visit, date of hospitalization, and discharge were collected. The signs and symptoms, laboratory and imaging abnormalities, and the conducted treatment were also documented.

Patients with poor socioeconomic status, those with serious systemic diseases, chemical dependents, alcoholics, and smokers present an increased relative risk of a worse clinical course. Another relevant point was the teeth involved in the picture, the lower molars, and premolars being the most relevant.

The results obtained allow us to conclude that the gold standard treatment is the removal of the cause, followed by incision and drainage of the spaces involved.