Cellulitis

Cellulitis is defined as a diffuse infection of connective tissue with severe inflammation of dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin. What this is telling you is that the infection that was once localized, has now spread into the adjacent soft tissue.

Cellulitis can be seen in any part of the body, but when we look at cellulitis with a dental origin. Dental related cellulitis typically involves abscessed teeth and impacted third molars.

Clinical findings associated with cellulitis:

• diffuse, warm, red swelling that can abscess up or spread in tissue spaces
• the involved area is tender to palpation
• the patient will exhibit an elevated temperature

Here are a few clinical pictures of dental related cellulitis.

Let's now give you a few more terms that relate to dental infections. A sinus tract represents an abnormal channel leading from within one structure to the surface of the skin. A fistula is the opening of the sinus tract on the outside of the skin. Think about the following scenario- Imagine a small tube going from the apex of tooth #20 to the outside of the face (skin). The tube represents the sinus tract and the outside opening on the face represents the fistula.

Here you can see two examples of fistulas. I especially like the draining one!

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