[Deep maxillo-facial infections]

Deep maxillo-facial infections typically originate from chronically infected teeth. The chronic infection flares up and spreads locally causing cellulitis and abscesses. Chronic dental infections may also disseminate and cause metastatic infections as well as complicate medical conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Medically compromised patients seem to be more susceptible to systemic rather than local infection complications. Surgical intervention in combination with effective antibiotic treatment is the corner stone of the treatment of deep maxillo-facial infections. Urgent hospital referral is required if the swelling results in a risk of airway compromise or if the patient has fever and sepsis.