Case report of regional alveolar bone actinomycosis: A juvenile periodontitis-like lesion

Background: Cervicofacial actinomycosis infection most often involves the m andibular bone and rarely the alveolar crest. Methods: We describe a 14-year-old patient who had actinomycosis involving the alveolar bone at the left lower dental quadrant region. Resembling juve nile periodontitis, it was difficult to diagnose properly and resulted in d evastating dental and periodontal consequences: loss of one tooth with most of its adjacent regional alveolar bone, severely compromising the support of two other teeth. Results: With the diagnosis came successful treatment, including surgical r emoval of the soft and hard tissues with concomitant prolonged penicillin a dministration. Conclusions: We feel that this case should raise the interest and concern o f both the periodontist and the general practitioner so that early diagnosi s can be obtained, significantly improving the clinical outcome.