Case 2: Dental Infection and Extraction
Patient Presentation1
- 5.5-year-old boy
- Presented to surgery this afternoon
- Lower right-hand-side submandibular swelling started this morning

Clinical Considerations
- Questions for parents?
- Initial investigations before looking in mouth?
Initial Investigation and Findings
Medical and Dental History2
- Medically fit and well, immunised
- History of chronic nocturnal pain
- Worsened over past few days
- Managing with analgesia
- No previous swellings or history of trauma
- No prior dental treatment

Clinical Findings
- Temperature: 38.5 degrees C
- Firm tender swelling localised to lower RHS
- Weight: 18kg
Intraoral Examination3
- Early mixed dentition
- 46, 85, 84 visible
- Large cavity with debris present at 85DO
- Loss of Q4 buccal sulcular depth

Diagnostic and Management Planning
- Possible causes of 85 cavity?
- What will you see on an x-ray?
- Plan for today’s management
- Calculate dosages of any medications used (18kg)
Differential Diagnosis for 85 Cavity4
- HSPM (Hypomineralised Second Primary Molar)
- Dental caries
- Failed existing restoration
- Trauma (fracture)
- Consideration of MIH (Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation) if HSPM is present

Radiographic Examination
Radiographic Modalities5
- Size 0 bitewing
- OPG
- Vertical bitewing
- PA with parent holding film

Radiographic Findings
- Cavity extending to pulp
- Furcation radiolucency
- Accessory canals in furcation area
Pharmacological Management
Penicillin V Dosage
Dosage Calculation (18kg Patient)
- Recommended Dose: 12.5mg/kg (up to 500mg) orally every 6 hours for 5 days
- Calculation: 12.5mg x 18kg = 225mg
- Preparation: Oral suspension 150mg/5ml
- Administration: 7.5ml every 6 hours for 5 days
Metronidazole Dosage6
Dosage Calculation (18kg Patient)
-
Recommended Dose: 10mg/kg (up to 400mg) orally every 12 hours for 5 days
-
Calculation: 10mg x 18kg = 180mg
-
Preparation: Oral suspension 40mg/ml (equivalent to 200mg/5ml)
-
Administration: 4.5ml every 12 hours for 5 days
-
Recommended Dose: 10mg/kg (up to 400mg) orally every 12 hours for 5 days
-
Calculation: 10mg x 18kg = 180mg
-
Preparation: Oral suspension 40mg/ml (equivalent to 200mg/5ml)
-
Administration: 4.5ml every 12 hours for 5 days
Prescription Documentation
Prescription Details
- Patient: Riley Child (DOB: 2/1/2020, Weight: 18kg)
- Address: 12 Macarena Place, Claremont WA 6010
- Date: 1/1/2025
- Prescriber: Dr Senior Student DMD (Prescriber no. 11094567)
Medications Prescribed
- Penicillin V oral suspension
- Concentration: 150mg/5ml (200ml bottle)
- Instructions: Take 7.5ml orally every 6 hours for 5 days.
- Metronidazole oral suspension
- Concentration: 40mg/ml (200ml bottle)
- Instructions: Take 4.5ml every 12 hours for 5 days.
- Note: For dental treatment only.
Extraction Appointment Preparation
Immediate Symptom Management7
- Analgesia:
- Paracetamol: 15mg/kg, 4-6 hourly (max 4000mg/day)
- Ibuprofen: 10mg/kg, 6-8 hourly (max 2500mg/day)
- Dietary Advice: Soft diet
Emergency and Follow-up Protocols
- If symptoms worsen:
- Contact clinic immediately.
- Provide referral letter to PCH Dental. Call PCH Dental before the patient leaves the surgery.
- After hours: Attend PCH Emergency Department (ED).
- Scheduled Treatment: Book for extraction of 85 in approximately 1 week.
Local Anesthetic Techniques
Topical Anesthesia Protocol
- Agent: Topical lignocaine gel 2-5%
- Procedure:
- Dry surface
- Apply with cotton bud
- Leave in situ for 2 minutes
- Wipe away with damp gauze
Injection Technique
- Buccal and lingual infiltration (access lingual via interpapillary route)
Anatomical Considerations for Nerve Blocks
Pediatric vs. Adult Mandibular Anatomy
- Ramus is shorter vertically in children.
- Ramus is narrower anterio-posteriorly in children.
Local Anesthetic Agent Selection
- Primary Choice: 4% Articaine with adrenaline 1:100,000
- Rationale: More effective mandibular infiltration and short acting time.
- Alternative Choice: 2% Lignocaine with adrenaline 1:80,000
- Considerations: Acidic environment from infection may result in shorter acting time and require longer onset time.
Maximum Local Anesthetic Dose Calculation
Dosage Calculation for 4% Articaine (1:100,000)
- Patient Weight: 18kg
- Maximum safe dose calculation: 7mg/kg x 18kg = 126mg (Note: text indicates 146mg, but calculation 7x18 equals 126mg)
- Concentration: 4% Articaine = 40mg/ml
- Volume Limit: 126mg / 40mg/ml = 3.15ml
- Cartridge Limit: 3.15ml / 2.2ml = 1.4 carpules
Surgical Procedure and Instrumentation89
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Surgical Instruments10
-
Forceps: Lower baby hawks
-
Luxators: 3S or 3C luxator
-
Forceps: Lower baby hawks
-
Luxators: 3S or 3C luxator
![]() | ![]() |
Extraction Technique11
- Luxator Use: Wedge around the tooth to separate PDL fibres; drive gently in an apical direction.
- Forceps Technique:
- Engage molar beaks at the furcation area.
- Apply apical pressure (primary drive).
- Move lingually.
- Apply continuous buccal movement.
- Remove tooth towards the buccal aspect.
Post-Extraction Care
Immediate Post-Operative Steps12
- Irrigate with saline to rinse out pus.
- Apply digital pressure to compress socket walls.
- Have patient bite on sterile gauze to achieve haemostasis.
- Suture soft tissues if required.
Follow-up and Records
- Provide verbal and written post-operative instructions.
- Complete clinical documentation.
Footnotes
-
Original PDF page 7: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.7 ↩
-
Original PDF page 8: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.8 ↩
-
Original PDF page 9: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.9 ↩
-
Original PDF page 10: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.10 ↩
-
Original PDF page 11: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.11 ↩
-
Original PDF page 14: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.14 ↩
-
Original PDF page 16: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.16 ↩
-
Original PDF page 22: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.22 ↩
-
Original PDF page 23: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.23 ↩
-
Original PDF page 21: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.21 ↩
-
Original PDF page 24: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.24 ↩
-
Original PDF page 25: W2 Case Based Discussion 2, p.25 ↩







