Chronic osteomyelitis following an uncomplicated dental extraction

The general dentist is usually the first health care practitioner to evaluate oral disease, initiate treatment and manage complications. Although rare, devastating outcomes of dental surgery can include Ludwig angina, mediastinitis, hemorrhage, necrotizing fasciitis, Lemierre syndrome and osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is a well known, but rare complication of dental extractions that can mimic multiple benign and malignant processes. In this case report, we review the diagnosis and management of an advanced postoperative mandibular osteomyelitis that developed following the removal of a mandibular third molar.