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A dental abscess is a localized collection of pus associated with a tooth. The most common type of dental abscess is a periapical abscess, and the second most common is a periodontal abscess. In a periapical abscess, usually the origin is a bacterial infection that has accumulated in the soft, often dead, pulp of the tooth.
Green arrows indicate tooth decay. Blue arrows indicate abscess at root of tooth. The infection at the root of the tooth can travel through bone and infect surrounding soft tissue. Mouth infections are usually diagnosed on history and physical exam in the dental office or at a clinic visit with an otolaryngologist. [1]
Odontogenic infections can be severe if not treated and are associated with mortality rate of 10 to 40%. [4] Furthermore, about 70% of odontogenic infections occur as periapical inflammation, i.e. acute periapical periodontitis or a periapical abscess. [3] The next most common form of odontogenic infection is the periodontal abscess. [3]
Dental abscesses can cause resorption of bone and consequent loss of attachment. Depending on the type of abscess, this loss of attachment may be restored once the abscess is treated, or it may be permanent. Many other conditions can cause permanent or temporary loss of attachment and increased tooth mobility.
Periodontal abscesses are less common than apical abscesses, but are still frequent. The key difference between the two is that the pulp of the tooth tends to be alive, and will respond normally to pulp tests. However, an untreated periodontal abscess may still cause the pulp to die if it reaches the tooth apex in a periodontic-endodontic lesion.
Periodontal abscesses may be difficult to distinguish from periapical abscesses. Since the management of a periodontal abscess is different from a periapical abscess, this differentiation is important to make (see Dental abscess#Diagnostic approach) For example, root canal therapy is unnecessary and has no impact on pain in a periodontal abscess.
A cyst is related to an abscess, but it contains a material other than pus, and a cyst has a clearly defined wall. Abscesses can also form internally on internal organs and after surgery. They are usually caused by a bacterial infection. [10] Often many different types of bacteria are involved in a single infection. [8]
Similarly, dental procedures such as tooth extractions, implant placement, or root canal treatments, particularly if they involve the posterior maxillary teeth, can also cause this condition. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Microbiological studies have also determined that anaerobic bacteria are more frequently involved in odontogenic sinusitis cases than in ...