What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, typically originating from the tooth’s nerve (periapical abscess) or the surrounding gum tissue (periodontal abscess). Abscesses are serious and can cause intense, throbbing pain, swelling of the face or gums, fever, a foul taste in the mouth, and general malaise. Without treatment, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues, the jawbone, and in rare but serious cases, to other areas of the body.
Dental Abscess Treatment: Quick Facts
| Quick fact | Typical answer |
|---|---|
| Number of visits | 1 urgent visit, then definitive care |
| Time needed | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia |
| How soon | Same day |
| Relief | Usually within 24 to 48 hours of drainage |
These are typical ranges. Your own plan is confirmed after an examination.
Signs of a Dental Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus caused by bacterial infection. It will not clear without treatment, and it can spread to the jaw, face and neck.
- Severe, throbbing toothache
- Swelling of the gum, face or jaw
- A pimple on the gum that may drain
- Fever, swollen glands or feeling unwell
- A bad taste or smell
- Pain when biting or touching the tooth
Dental Abscess Treatment at Bensonhurst Dental Care
At Bensonhurst Dental Care, abscess treatment begins with an immediate evaluation to determine the source and extent of the infection. The priority is to drain the abscess, relieve pain, and control the infection. Drainage may be achieved by opening the tooth to allow the infection to escape, incising and draining a soft tissue abscess, or a combination of both. Antibiotics are prescribed when appropriate to support the body in clearing the infection.
What to Expect, Step by Step
- Urgent appointment. You are seen the same day.
- Examination and X-ray. The source is identified.
- Numbing. Anesthesia is given; a longer-acting anesthetic may be used for a very inflamed tooth.
- Drainage. The abscess is drained through the tooth or the gum.
- Medication. Antibiotics are prescribed if the infection is spreading.
- Definitive treatment. Root canal therapy, gum treatment or extraction removes the cause.
Types of dental abscess
| Type | Where it starts | Usual treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Periapical abscess | At the root tip, from a dead or infected nerve | Root canal therapy or extraction |
| Periodontal abscess | In a deep gum pocket | Drainage and deep cleaning |
| Pericoronal abscess | In the gum over a partly erupted tooth | Cleaning, and often extraction |
Antibiotics alone do not cure a dental abscess. They hold the infection back until the source is treated.
What to Do Now and After Treatment
Looking after yourself
Before you reach us
- Call us straight away
- Rinse with warm salt water and take pain relief
- Do not apply heat to your face or try to burst the swelling
After your emergency visit
- Take the full course of any antibiotic
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Return to complete the root canal, gum treatment or extraction
When to Call Us
Call the office on (718) 234-3434 if you notice any of the following:
- Swelling spreads toward your eye or neck
- You have a fever or feel very unwell
- You have difficulty swallowing, breathing or opening your mouth; go to an emergency room
Treating the Cause
Once the acute infection is managed, definitive treatment addresses the underlying cause. A periapical abscess originating from inside the tooth typically requires root canal therapy to remove the infected pulp and seal the canal system. A periodontal abscess may require scaling and root planing or other periodontal treatment to address the gum disease driving the infection. In cases where the tooth is too compromised to save, an emergency extraction removes the source of infection entirely.
Cost and Insurance
An emergency visit has two parts: the visit that stops the pain or infection, and the treatment that fixes the cause. You are told the fee for each before it is carried out.
What affects the cost
- The examination and X-rays needed to find the cause
- The treatment given at the emergency visit
- The definitive treatment that follows, such as a root canal, crown or extraction
- Medication, if prescribed
Most dental plans contribute to emergency examinations and to the treatment that follows. Our team can check your benefits and explain your options before treatment begins.
