What should you know about maxillary osteomyelitis treatment?

Osteomyelitis is infection within bone. In the maxilla, the starting point may be a tooth, gum, wound, operation, or nearby sinus or facial infection. A care team may combine mouth and facial examination with imaging and blood or tissue tests. The plan depends on how extensive the infection is, whether dead bone or an abscess is present, and the person’s overall health. Symptoms can improve before the infection is fully controlled, so follow-up matters.

Treatment may include prescribed antimicrobial medicine, drainage, dental treatment, removal of a source tooth, or surgery to clean infected or non-viable tissue. Take medicines exactly as directed and attend reviews even when pain settles. Keep oral hygiene gentle, avoid smoking while healing, and do not self-treat swelling with leftover antibiotics. If infection has caused a defect or bone loss, [Bone Grafting](/treatments/trauma-and-fracture-care/bone-grafting/) may be discussed after the infection is controlled.

Get urgent medical attention for spreading facial swelling, fever, severe or escalating pain, swelling around the eye, new vision symptoms, difficulty swallowing or breathing, confusion, or inability to open the mouth. Tell the treating team if medicine causes a severe reaction or if symptoms worsen instead of improving.

What is the suspected source of the infection, and do imaging or cultures change the plan? Will dental treatment or drainage be needed? How will you know the bone is healing? When could reconstruction be considered, and which symptoms should prompt an earlier review?