Impact of COVID-19 disease and its treatment on the development of maxillofacial complications

Abstract

The novel coronavirus spread worldwide in 2020, causing millions of deaths and disabilities. Even though the virus was considered a respiratory virus, its adverse effects can be detected in several body systems. The article describes COVID-19 disease and its complications in the maxillofacial area. Several complications develop either in response to therapeutic modalities used to treat the underlying disease, or due to overuse of particular medications namely glucocorticoids, antirheumatic agents, interleukin 6-inhibitors, and antibiotics. This article will describe a number of complications ranging from mild complications to severe ones such as osteonecrosis of the upper jaw and facial bones, ophthalmologic and neurological complications. It will also summarize recommendations that will help prevent or minimize these complications.

Keywords

• Coronavirus
• Covid-19
• Maxillofacial
• Complications
• Osteomyelitis of the jaws
• Osteonecrosis