Principles for the treatment of odontogenic infections with different levels of complexity

Odontogenic infections are one of the main causes of consultation in dental practice. These, affect individuals of all ages and are responsible for the majority of antibiotic prescriptions in the field of dentistry. Odontogenic infections are generally underestimated in terms of morbidity and mortality, although the incidence and severity have decreased dramatically over the past 70 years. However, odontogenic infections can have varying degrees of severity and even some can be quite complex and need emergency care in a hospital setting under a specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Odontogenic infections are commonly the result of pericoronitis, caries with pulp exposure, periodontitis or complication of a dental procedure. The literature contains various principles and approaches for odontogenic infections therefore the objective of our review is to establish a simplified manner based on the current literature, the principles that the clinician should follow to face odontogenic infections with different levels of complexity.