The microbiology and management of acute dentoalveolar abscess: views of British oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Improvements in microbiological technology have established a major role for anaerobes including Gram-positive anaerobes such as peptococci and peptostreptococci and Gram-negative anaerobes such as bacteroides and fusobacteria species in acute dentoalveolar abscesses. Organisms isolated increasingly may be, or may become, resistant to penicillin or erythromycin but metronidazole appears effective against many. These facts have implications for treatment when antimicrobials are indicated. This study presents the current views of British oral and maxillofacial surgeons responding to a questionnaire as to the causative microorganisms, selection of antimicrobial and route of administration and relates these to the current scientific basis for therapy.