Actinomycosis of the maxilla - a case report of a rare oral infection presenting in general dental practice

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a suppurative and often chronic bacterial infection most commonly caused by Actinomyces israelii. It is rare in dental practice. In the case reported the patient presented to his general dental practitioner complaining of a loose upper denture. This was found to be due to an actinomycotic infection which had caused extensive destruction and sequestration of the maxillary and nasal bones and subsequent deviation of the nasal septum.