A 11-year-old Hispanic boy was referred to the University
of Texas -- Houston, Health Science Center,
Dental Branch, Pediatric Dentistry Emergency Clinic
by a pediatrician in November 1990. The patient’s chief
complaint was severe pain in the left maxillary area.
The patient’s mother said the child had complained of
discomfort in this area about five months earlier. They
had consulted a dentist who diagnosed no carious lesions
and prescribed a medication that the mother could
not recall. A week before this admission, the child complained
of severe toothache, so he was taken to another
dentist and, according to the mother, "some grinding"
was performed on teeth in the affected area. Not relieved
of the severe pain, the patient saw a pediatrician
who prescribed antibiotics and referred him to this
institution. After initial examination, an endodontist
was consulted.