Abstract
External dental fistula is a condition where chronic suppuration of a dental root creates a fistula to the skin of the face or neck. More than 60% of patients seek consultation at a dermatology or surgical clinic because of the lack of dental disease symptoms. Some cases of external dental fistula have been mistreated with multiple incisions, repeated biopsies or prolonged treatment with antibiotics. The treatment of this condition should include extraction or other treatment of the causative tooth. Observations of three cases at different stages of diseases revealed cellulitis, abscess formation and cutaneous fistula formation after the fistula tract had penetrated the mandibular bone. The author proposes that such conditions be referred to as cellulitis of the soft tissue from external dental fistula or cellulitis from external dental fistula.
