General Information About Dental Abscess
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the formation of an infection and a pocket of pus in the jawbone when the living tissue inside the tooth dies, allowing bacteria to reach the jawbone.
Untreated deep cavities, broken/cracked teeth, gum infections, or previous faulty root canal treatments pave the way for bacteria to descend to the root tip.
Throbbing pain that worsens when chewing or touching, extreme sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling in the cheek/jaw area of the affected tooth, bad breath, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever.
An abscess does not heal on its own. The infection can erode the jawbone and spread to the sinuses or neck. If it enters the bloodstream (sepsis), it can lead to serious, life-threatening consequences.
Diagnosis is made through a physical examination by a dentist and an intraoral (periapical) X-ray, which identifies a dark lesion (abscess cavity) at the root tip.
First, the acute infection is suppressed with antibiotics. If the tooth can be saved, the inside of the tooth is cleaned with a root canal treatment; if the tooth tissue is too severely damaged, the tooth is extracted and the pus is drained.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
