BOS Statement: Endocarditis

An association has recently been made in the national press between infective endocarditis and the orthodontic treatment of a young female patient.  

 

Infective endocarditis is an infection of the endocardium, which is the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valves.  It is a rare condition.  There are many ways to develop endocarditis.  However, people at greatest risk of endocarditis usually have damaged heart valves or heart defects.  Treatments for endocarditis include antibiotics and, in certain cases, surgery.

 

A wide range of people seek orthodontic treatment and a small minority have medical conditions which means their treatment must be managed with additional care.  However, there is no evidence of a direct link between endocarditis and orthodontic treatment. 

 

The British Orthodontic Society awaits the outcome of any investigation into this individual case to ascertain the facts.

 

View all statements