ETIOLOGY AND PATTERN OF SWELLINGS IN MANDIBLE AND MAXILLA

Abstract

Objective: To determine the etiology & pattern of swellings in the mandible and maxilla.
Design: A descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Dept, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry Rawalpindi for two years from December 2004 to December 2006.
Patients and Methods: Three hundred and fifty patients with swellings in the jaws reporting to AFID were included in this study. After history, clinical examination and radiographic evaluation, patients were registered. All patients whether admitted to hospital or treated as outdoor patients in oral surgery clinic were included. Swelling of the parotid region, nasal and para nasal sinuses and neck were not included.
Results: In majority 131 (37.42%) the patients were of age between 21 to 30 years (mean 25.5 years). Males were affected more than females with ratio 1.3:1. The most common swellings found were inflammatory which accounted for 138 cases (39.42%) due to odontogenic reasons i.e. caries and non vital teeth. The most frequent site involved was mandible which accounted for 202 cases (57.71%). In 111 cases (31.71%) the treatment modality used was incision & drainage followed by antibiotics.
Conclusion: Caries and non-vital teeth were cause of the most common inflammatory swellings. The predominant site of swellings was the mandible. Every person must visit a dentist for oral examination six monthly so that early lesions in mandible and maxilla can be detected and treated more conservatively.