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What Is a Aspergillus-Infected Tooth?

An Aspergillus-infected tooth is a rare occurrence, but can develop from more than one cause and can lead to infection of the maxillary sinuses. An infection may originate from the tooth resulting from a root canal procedure. The infection also may originate in the sinuses and infect the gums and teeth. Aspergillus is a common fungus. When airborne, spores are breathed in and can infect the lungs and sinuses, causing infection in some people.

  1. Sources of Aspergillus

    • The fungus is found on plant debris and in the soil and rotting vegetation. Places with an increased risk of contamination to humans by Aspergillus spores are dirty air conditioning systems, homes that have been damaged by floods and compost piles. The condition can affect children as well as adults and is also found in animals and birds, that can spread it to humans.

    Risks

    • The condition may be mild with barely noticeable symptoms, or it can be severe in some patients and even fatal. Immuno-compromised individuals and people with lung ailments or hematologic malignancy are more at risk of serious infection. The disease resulting from Aspergillus infection is called aspergillosis. Long-term use of steroids or antibiotics also may put one at risk of infection.

    Symptoms

    • Allergic symptoms, such as runny nose, may occur, and more severe symptoms include headache, facial discomfort or sinus pain, cough and fever. Tooth and jaw pain will result if the infection either originates or spreads to the mouth.

    Oral Infection

    • When the infection originates in the tooth, rather than spreading to the teeth and gums from an infection elsewhere in the body, it can happen from zinc oxide and formaldehyde-based fillings used in root canal procedures. The cement used, if overextended into the maxillary sinus deep below the gums, may infiltrate and irritate the sinus and lead to infection. The fungal infection can be found either in the mouth or lungs or spread from one to the other, resulting in oral lesions, purulent or bloody sputum, coughing and trouble breathing.

    Lung Infection

    • Another source of infection is through an aspergilloma, a growth of collected spores found in a lung cavity caused by a respiratory disease, like tuberculosis.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Aspergillosis is diagnosed using fungal cultures, X-rays and sometimes CT scans. It is treated with a variety of antifungal drugs and, in some cases, surgery.

    Immunity

    • Most people are immune to the spores of Aspergillus and feel no affect or are able to fight off an infection through their own healthy immune systems.

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