A dental abscess is defined as a collection of pus located in the tissues surrounding the tooth root, due to the proliferation of aerobic and anaerobic germs present in the oral flora, most often the cause of dental caries [1] . In the absence of early treatment, it can progress towards a rupture of the wall of the abscess and fistulization or even destruction of the bone which surrounds the tooth which can lead to its possible loss. The infection can also spread to neighboring structures (the tongue, throat, sinuses, or even to the brain in the event of spread through the bloodstream. Ultimately, the infection can reach (the heart, lungs, kidneys, the digestive system as well as the joints) [1] . Dental abscess is very painful and disabling for the patient. It’s the emergency [2] . Comparative studies make it possible to clarify the place of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of dental abscess. On the basis of the natural evolution of abscesses and clinical experience, antibiotic therapy cannot replace the act therapeutic dental treatment (conservative or radical). The addition of antibiotic therapy to the dental procedure may be considered in certain cases, depending on the type of dental abscess [3] - [7] and in Guinea [8] have shown that dental abscess is a very frequently encountered pathology with a diverse clinical aspect and that the management is related to its etiology which depends on several factors. Thus, it follows from all this work, a very high prevalence of this pathology in certain countries and that the Prefectural Hospital of Siguiri is not spared. To this are added their serious complications which require a more specialized and adapted therapeutic table depending on the terrain. The objective of this work is to identify the different epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of dental abscess in order to adapt and improve its management in the dental office of the Prefetoral Hospital of Siguiri.

In 4 years, out of a number of 4690 patients received, 546 cases of dental abscesses were recorded in the dental department of the Siguiri prefectural hospital, representing a frequency of 11.64% ( Figure 1 ). In our study, dental abscess was observed at all ages, but mainly in adolescents and young adults with a frequency of 33.69% in the age group of 16 - 25 years with extreme ages 6 and 75 years ( Table 1 ). Females represented 64.7% of cases compared to 35.3% males. The sex ratio was F/M = 1.07 ( Figure 2 ). The majority of patients resided in rural communes, i.e. 54.21% compared to 45.76% for the urban commune ( Figure 3 ). Pain, abscess/swelling and functional discomfort were reported in all patients, i.e. 100% respectively ( Table 2 ). Mandibular involvement was the most represented site in 52.93% of cases ( Figure 4 ). The premolar-molar group was the most affected with 86.70% of cases ( Table 3 ). Out of 546 patients, none underwent systematic paraclinical examinations during treatment ( Text 1 ). The most common type of abscess was acute, i.e. 80.04% ( Figure 5 ). The antibiotic, analgesic and mouthwash were prescribed in all patients. i.e. 100% ( Table 4 ) and the most commonly practiced surgical treatment was incision + drainage + extraction i.e. 93.04% ( Table 5 ). As for the evolution, the patients who had the good prognosis were predominant, i.e. 80.95% ( Table 6 ).

This was a retrospective study of descriptive type lasting 2 months. It was carried out on the registers of patients received for consultation between October 2017 and October 2020 at the dental office of the Siguiri prefectural hospital. Our study had the merit of focusing on patients who were treated for dental abscess in the said department during the study period. However, we encountered constraints hindering the smooth running of the work. These multiple and varied constraints exist at several levels. But we highlight a few which are among others: incomplete, poorly completed registers and the absence of important paraclinical data, however, the results remain useful for subsequent studies with a high level of scientific proof. In 4 years, out of a staff of 4690 patients received, 546 cases of dental abscesses were recorded in the dental department of the Siguiri prefectural hospital, i.e. a frequency of 11.64%. This result is relatively weak compared to that of Kane AST et al. [9] in Mali during a cross-sectional descriptive study of 182 cases admitted to the odontology department of the Military Hospital of Bamako in 2018 which reported 18.68% cases of dental abscess. The absence of adequate dental structures in rural communities and the fear associated with late consultation would justify this figure. In our study, dental abscess was observed at all ages, but mainly in adolescents and young adults with a frequency of 33.69% in the age group of 16 - 25 years with extreme ages 6 and 75 years old. This could be explained by the fact that this age group corresponds to the period of multiple life-determining concerns which risk relegating dental care to the background. This age also corresponds to the period when parents have practically no influence in ensuring good oral hygiene. This result is close to that of Ngapeth E. et al. [10] during a retrospective study of 161 cases admitted to the Central Hospital of Yaoundé in 2007, the age groups affected by dental abscess were those 20 - 29 years old (30.43%). Females represented 64.7% of cases compared to 35.3% males. The sex ratio was F/M = 1.07. Our result is contrary to that of Bengondon M. et al. [11] in Cameroon who noted a male predominance of 64.8%. For our part, as for all these authors, sex does not discriminate in the occurrence of dental abscesses and no theory could justify the attack of one gender compared to the other. The majority of patients resided in rural communes, i.e. 54.21% compared to 45.76% for the urban commune. This proportion is close to that of Camara M. et al. [12] in 2020 in Siguiri (Republic of Guinea) who reported a predominance of the rural population with 57.0% compared to 42.50% in the urban area. The absence of adequate structures and qualified personnel for their care would justify this result. Pain, abscess/swelling, functional discomfort were reported in all patients. Our result corroborates with that of Doumbia I. et al. [7] who, during a prospective study of 102 cases in 2008, reported that pain, swelling and functional discomfort were noted in all patients. These results could be explained by the fact that pain causes functional impotence and the discovery of swelling constitutes concern and motivation for consultation. Mandibular involvement represented 52.93% of cases. Indeed, we can explain this phenomenon by the fact that the mandibular teeth are more exposed to decay than the maxillary teeth because food debris stagnates there more easily. Our result is similar to that of Doumbia I. et al. [7] in Bamako who also found a mandibular predominance. The premolar-molar group was the most affected with 86.70% of cases. This predominance could be explained by the occlusal anatomy of these teeth (crevices, more or less deep furrows) causing a higher risk of carious damage and, consequently, remaining subject to the action of cariogenic factors. But also, by the fact that the molars are multicanal (generally 3 canals), thus they present more overall pulp tissue, their necrosis increasing the number of bacteria inside the canal housing, and therefore the extent of the local infection. A study conducted by Dojcinovic I. et al. [13] in Switzerland in 2010 showed that 90% of orofacial infections were of dental origin. The remaining 10% were the consequence of problems: oropharyngeal, cutaneous and iatrogenic. Page C. et al. [14] in Amiens in France in 2016 concerning 22 cases with secondary brain abscesses showed that the origin was sinus in 32% of cases, otological in 32% of cases, pharyngeal or dental in 27% of cases. Another study conducted by Laure B. [15] at the Tours University Hospital in France in 2009 described an orbital abscess secondary to maxillary sinusitis of dental origin, focusing on the severity of orbital infections and the dramatic consequences of delayed treatment. Out of 546 patients, none underwent systematic paraclinical examinations during treatment. Traoré H. et al. [16] in Mali in 2015 reported 90% of cases of dental avulsion without resorting to radiography. This result could be explained by the negligence of practitioners associated with the lack of financial means of our patients to cover their effective care. The antibiotic, analgesic and mouthwash were prescribed in all patients, i.e. 100%, followed by 96.37% cases of prescription of steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and 90.48% cases of imidazole. This is explained by the fact that dental abscess is an infectious pathology of bacterial origin accompanied by severe pain, the addition of general corticosteroid therapy for its part is the subject of discussion according to the schools and should take into account whether immunocompromised or not, this high percentage of oral mouthwash could be explained by their oral antiseptic and anti-infectious properties, especially their ability to freshen breath or prevent decay. Our result is close to that of Doumbia I. et al. [7] in Bamako in 2008 who reported that antibiotics and mouthwashes were prescribed to all patients. Incision + drainage + dental extraction was carried out in 93.04% of patients compared to 6.78% of cases of incision + drainage + conservative care. This high percentage of incision + drainage + dental extraction could be explained by the fact that most of our respondents had the causal teeth that were completely dilapidated or in significant coronal destruction, dental mobility and associated with infection. Our results are almost similar to those of Kampo B. [17] in 2016 in Mali who reported 99.22% cases of medico-surgical treatment (incision + drainage and extraction of the causal tooth). Regarding the score, 97.99% of our patients had a good post-therapeutic evolution and 2.01% cases had poor evolution. This fact could be explained by the effectiveness of the therapeutic regimen undertaken.

It emerges from this work that dental abscesses represent a large percentage of cases of consultations at the dental office of the prefectural hospital of Siguiri (Guinea). Its high frequency among young people deserves particular attention and the majority of our respondents resided in rural communities. It should also be noted that the dental surgeons of the dental office of the Siguiri prefectural hospital do not use paraclinical examinations during the treatment of this pathology. The diagnosis is obvious; the degree of seriousness must be correctly assessed by a vigilant oral-dental examination. This assessment will lead to the indication of an adequate therapeutic method to repair the lesion, which carried out early, will preserve the psycho-social future of the patient.

MC, ABN, FMT, LF, MD, DC, KC, MS, FMK, KPA participated in the design of the protocol. MC, FMT, ABN, LF were involved in data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. ABO, ABN MSF, MD and MAD reviewed the manuscript. All authors read, approved the final version and agreed to publication.

Data regarding this are available upon request to the authors.

The authors would like to thank the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, the CEA-PCMT, the CERFIG, the supervisors of the CEA-PCMT and the CERFIG of the Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry for their unconditional contribution to the realization of this work.