Facial cellulitis following dental injury in a child

✍ Scribed by William H. Dice; Gary J. Pryor; William R. Kilpatrick

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 326 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1097-6760
• DOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(82)80427-7

✦ Synopsis

cellulitis, pediatric; dental injury

Facial Cellulitis Following Dental Injury in a Child

A case of facial cellulitis complicating a Iuxation injury of the right central maxillary incisor is reported in a pediatric patient. The initial impression in the emergency department was that of a fractured tooth. In spite of radiographic studies and appropriate consultations, the true intrusion injury was not appreciated. A periodontal infection developed as a result of the damaged periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Contiguous spread of the infection to the facial tissue requiring hospitalization resulted in patient morbidity Extraction of the tooth and penicillin therapy resulted in an uneventful recovery. Because oral trauma is a frequent reason for emergency department visits, this case is presented to facilitate the recognition of dentd injury and encourage appropriate therapy.