Dental Abscess: A Microbiological Review

Overview

Journal Dent Res J (Isfahan)

Specialty Dentistry

Date 2013 Dec 19

PMID 24348613

Citations 26

Authors

Shweta

S Krishna Prakash

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Dental abscess is a frequently occurring infectious process known to the health practice. The fate of the infection depends on the virulence of the bacteria, host resistance factors, and regional anatomy. Serious consequences arising from the spread of a dental abscess lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Acute dental abscess is polymicrobial, comprising of strict anaerobes, such as anaerobic cocci, Prevotella, Fusobacterium species, and facultative anaerobes, such as viridans group streptococci and the Streptococcus anginosus group. Numerous novel, uncultivable and fastidious organisms have been identified as potential pathogens with the use of non-culture techniques. The majority of localized dental abscesses respond to surgical treatment while the use of antimicrobials is limited to severe spreading infections. There is a need for good-quality clinical trials of sufficient size to identify the ideal treatment. The microbiology of the acute dentoalveolar abscess and its treatment in the light of improved culture and diagnostic methods are reviewed.

Citing Articles

Remember the teeth! Cutaneous manifestation of odontogenic sepsis: A case study.

Ladurner L, Zadjali M, Dhillon M JPRAS Open. 2025; 43():227-231.

PMID: 39811589 PMC: 11732101. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpra.2024.11.013.

Towards Wiser Prescribing of Antibiotics in Dental Practice: What Pharmacists Want Dentists to Know.

Thabit A, Aljereb N, Khojah O, Shanab H, Badahdah A Dent J (Basel). 2024; 12(11).

PMID: 39590395 PMC: 11593279. DOI: 10.3390/dj12110345.

Non-surgical Management of a Large Periapical Lesion: A Case Study of the Successful Application of a Modified Triple Antibacterial Paste.

Awghad S, Mahapatra J, Reche A, Burse A, Kibe A Cureus. 2024; 16(6):e62349.

PMID: 39006717 PMC: 11246771. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.62349.

Hospitalisations Due to Dental Infection: A Retrospective Clinical Audit from an Australian Public Hospital.

Ullah M, Irshad M, Yaacoub A, Carter E, Cox S Dent J (Basel). 2024; 12(6).

PMID: 38920874 PMC: 11203205. DOI: 10.3390/dj12060173.

Evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of royal jelly against , and .

Mahale V, Sharma S J Conserv Dent Endod. 2024; 27(3):252-256.

PMID: 38634035 PMC: 11019800. DOI: 10.4103/JCDE.JCDE_234_23.

References

Siqueira Jr J, Rocas I . Treponema species associated with abscesses of endodontic origin. Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2004; 19(5):336-9. DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-302x.2004.00156.x. View

Paterson S, Curzon M . The effect of amoxycillin versus penicillin V in the treatment of acutely abscessed primary teeth. Br Dent J. 1993; 174(12):443-9. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4808195. View

Riggio M, Lennon A . Development of a novel PCR assay for detection of Prevotella oris in clinical specimens. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2007; 276(1):123-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.00926.x. View

Gonzalez-Garcia R, Risco-Rojas R, Roman-Romero L, Moreno-Garcia C, Lopez Garcia C . Descending necrotizing mediastinitis following dental extraction. Radiological features and surgical treatment considerations. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2010; 39(5):335-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2010.10.001. View

Kuriyama T, Absi E, Williams D, Lewis M . An outcome audit of the treatment of acute dentoalveolar infection: impact of penicillin resistance. Br Dent J. 2005; 198(12):759-63. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4812415. View

Siqueira Jr J, Rocas I . Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus in primary endodontic infections. J Endod. 2003; 29(11):735-8. DOI: 10.1097/00004770-200311000-00012. View

Siqueira Jr J, Rocas I . Simultaneous detection of Dialister pneumosintes and Filifactor alocis in endodontic infections by 16S rDNA-directed multiplex PCR. J Endod. 2004; 30(12):851-4. DOI: 10.1097/01.don.0000132300.13023.5d. View

Baumgartner J, Siqueira Jr J, Xia T, Rocas I . Geographical differences in bacteria detected in endodontic infections using polymerase chain reaction. J Endod. 2004; 30(3):141-4. DOI: 10.1097/00004770-200403000-00004. View

Snydman D, Jacobus N, McDermott L, Ruthazer R, Golan Y, Goldstein E . National survey on the susceptibility of Bacteroides fragilis group: report and analysis of trends in the United States from 1997 to 2004. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007; 51(5):1649-55. PMC: 1855532. DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01435-06. View

10.

Nair P . Pathogenesis of apical periodontitis and the causes of endodontic failures. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 2004; 15(6):348-81. DOI: 10.1177/154411130401500604. View

11.

Spijkervet F, Vissink A, Raghoebar G . [The odontogenic abscess. Aetiology, treatment and involvement in the orofacial region]. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd. 2004; 111(4):120-7. View

12.

Jarboui S, Jerraya H, Moussi A, Ben Moussa M, Marrakchi M, Kaffel N . [Descending necrotizing mediastinitis of odontogenic origin]. Tunis Med. 2010; 87(11):770-5. View

13.

Adriaenssen C . Comparison of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of azithromycin and co-amoxiclav in the treatment of acute periapical abscesses. J Int Med Res. 1999; 26(5):257-65. DOI: 10.1177/030006059802600506. View

14.

Heimdahl A, von Konow L, Nord C . Isolation of beta-lactamase-producing Bacteroides strains associated with clinical failures with penicillin treatment of human orofacial infections. Arch Oral Biol. 1980; 25(10):689-92. DOI: 10.1016/0003-9969(80)90102-8. View

15.

Tomazinho L, Avila-Campos M . Detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Prevotella nigrescens in chronic endodontic infection. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2007; 103(2):285-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2006.05.010. View

16.

Niazi S, Clarke D, Do T, Gilbert S, Mannocci F, Beighton D . Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from refractory endodontic lesions are opportunistic pathogens. J Clin Microbiol. 2010; 48(11):3859-69. PMC: 3020818. DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01326-10. View

17.

Cachovan G, Boger R, Giersdorf I, Hallier O, Streichert T, Haddad M . Comparative efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin and clindamycin in the treatment of odontogenic abscesses and inflammatory infiltrates: a phase II, double-blind, randomized trial. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2010; 55(3):1142-7. PMC: 3067083. DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01267-10. View

18.

Goumas P, Naxakis S, Papavasiliou D, Moschovakis E, Tsintsos S, Skoutelis A . Periapical abscesses: causal bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity. J Chemother. 1998; 9(6):415-9. DOI: 10.1179/joc.1997.9.6.415. View

19.

Goldman A, Yee R, Holmgren C, Benzian H . Global affordability of fluoride toothpaste. Global Health. 2008; 4:7. PMC: 2443131. DOI: 10.1186/1744-8603-4-7. View

20.

Fouad A, Rivera E, Walton R . Penicillin as a supplement in resolving the localized acute apical abscess. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1996; 81(5):590-5. DOI: 10.1016/s1079-2104(96)80054-0. View