Acute and chronic infections affecting the oral cavity: orthodontic implications

• Orthodontists are keen to correct facial and dental disfigurements, but often little attention is paid to the general health status of patients, as if the dentofacial region exists in isolation from the rest of the body. This approach can be termed "regional diagnosis," where an emphasis is placed on the face and oral cavity while ignoring the overwhelming evidence on an intimate association between dentofacial events and a multitude of pathophysiological developments throughout the rest of the body. Lack of adequate knowledge of infectious diseases can cause unnecessary delays in instituting appropriate therapy, and at the same time lead to failure in implementing proper safety measures for prevention of disease transmission to orthodontic office personnel. This chapter concentrates on nonodontogenic infections and their possible orthodontic implications. Systemic infectious diseases with oral manifestations and with a high degree of microbiological specificity are discussed, providing a clear guide to distinguish between bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Bacterial infections

Facial disfigurements

Fungal infections

Infectious diseases

Oral cavity

Orthodontic implications

Parasitic infections

Regional diagnosis

Viral infections

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kap (subject category)