Dental Abscess

The main cause of dental abscesses is untreated tooth decay, which is often invaded by bacteria. This is referred to as deep decay: an advanced lesion of the tooth that reaches the inner layers. However, dental abscesses can be caused by other factors such as:

• dental trauma
• an infection in a wisdom tooth
• a periapical abscess: an infection that forms at the root of the tooth
• A periodontal abscess: an infection of the supporting tissues around the tooth that leads to bacterial spread and pus accumulation.

The appearance of an abscess is often due to fear of visiting the dentist. It is necessary to react quickly when a dental abscess appears, before the inflammation turns into an emergency. This is because it can lead to severe complications, such as sepsis.

The abscess may be the result of periodontal disease, untreated chronic periodontitis, or treatment for chronic periodontitis. It may be caused by a foreign body in the periodontal pocket or damage to the root, promoting the presence of bacteria and the formation of a pocket of pus. Treatment must be prompt and comprehensive in order to address the causes of the abscess and prevent more serious complications.

The appearance of a dental abscess is accompanied by one or more symptoms, which are aggravated by lying down and may quickly become more severe. These symptoms include:

• throbbing pain in the tooth or gum
• difficulty opening the mouth
• cervical lymphadenopathy (inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck)
• pain when chewing and swallowing
• increased tooth sensitivity, and sometimes fever accompanied by fatigue
• sleeplessness due to pain

To relieve the pain and symptoms associated with dental abscesses, a comprehensive periodontal approach is necessary. In order to avoid relapses and prevent more serious conditions, it is crucial to provide appropriate dental care that takes into account the causes and treatments specific to each type of abscess.

The intervention of a dentist or stomatologist is necessary to treat an abscess, as this infection does not heal on its own.

To treat a periapical dental abscess, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the oral cavity, which may be accompanied by X-rays. Next, the dentist or stomatologist drains the abscess to remove the pus it contains. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia in two stages:

• Preliminary cleaning of the tooth canals containing infected tissue, i.e., the dental pulp, down to the root tip.
• Application of a paste in place of the removed pulp, to prevent the formation of a new abscess

When an abscess develops in the gum, it is referred to as a gingival abscess. In this case, the abscess in the gum is incised and drained. The space between the tooth and the gum must be cleaned at the same time.

In the most advanced cases of dental abscesses, tooth extraction may be necessary.
A dental abscess must be treated quickly: our clinic has many slots available to take care of you quickly.

With treatment, the pain caused by the abscess quickly subsides until the infection disappears. In cases where the tooth does not need to be extracted, root canal treatment can be performed to restore the tooth.

Following treatment for a dental abscess, it is recommended that you visit the dentists at your Sana Oris dental clinic regularly. This is to ensure that the results of the treatment are maintained.

The special care we take to prevent periodontal disease allows us to treat conditions early on, without waiting for the complications and pain associated with untreated conditions.

The exclusive expertise in periodontics of Dr. Kohen and his team allows for the treatment of long-term periodontal diseases. To prevent recurrence, it is recommended that you visit your dentist regularly and practice good oral hygiene, including brushing two to three times a day.

The cost of treatment depends on the procedures required to treat the abscess. Your dentist and their team will provide you with information about prices during your consultation.