About one in three people have a bicuspid aortic valve, which is a heart valve with two leaflets instead of three. This condition can lead to aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the valve that can cause serious health complications if left untreated. Treatment for aortic stenosis depends on the severity of the condition, and may require surgery to repair or replace the valve. Without treatment, severe aortic valve stenosis can result in death. Dental abscesses are another common condition that can be caused by an untreated infected bicuspid.
Tooth abscesses are the terminal stage of dental disease, and can spread beyond the jaws if left untreated. This increases the risk of airway obstruction and sepsis, and antibiotics alone will not resolve the infection. Necrotizing fasciitis is another serious complication of odontogenic infections, and patients with this condition should be immediately transferred to a tertiary hospital. People with Turner syndrome have an increased risk of developing a bicuspid aortic valve, and this can lead to an increase in left atrial pressure over time. This increase in pressure can lead to cardiovascular events, including death.
Odontogenic infections are polymicrobial, and can involve aerobic organisms, facultative anaerobes and strict anaerobes. Other causes of dental abscess include pericoronal infections around partially erupted impacted teeth or the failure of dental treatment. We investigated the impact of the bicuspid aortic valve on the prognosis of patients who had definitive infectious endocarditis of the native aortic valve. Immediate evaluation and referral to a tertiary hospital are required in cases of risk of airway involvement. The other critical area of dental infection is the incisors, canines and premolars of the anterior jaw, since infections in these areas can spread through the infraorbital veins to the ocular veins and the cavernous sinus. It is important to note that an untreated infected bicuspid can also be caused by exposure to certain infections or medications during pregnancy.
It is essential to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have an untreated infected bicuspid, as this condition can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.
