MULTIFOCAL BONE EXPOSURE IN THE JAW

Reports of rare oral complications as osteonecrosis and spontaneous exfoliation of teeth have been reported after herpes zoster (HZ) infection. A 57-year-old male patient was referred for periodontal evaluation because of gingival bleeding. The patient’s medical history included a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and previous HZ infection. Intraoral examination revealed a redness around the left anterior inferior gingiva and necrosis and alveolar bone exposure around tooth 32. Alveolar bone exposure with spontaneous tooth exfoliation of tooth 21 was noted. Radiographically, the radiolucent area surrounding the tooth 32 and the outline of the socket of the exfoliated tooth 21 were visible. Conservative surgical and antibiotic therapy were performed. The diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the jaw following HZ infection was established. The patient is in follow-up for 1.5 years without signs of recurrence. Clinicians should be aware of unusual complication related to the previous infection of HZ.