Extracting Abscessed Tooth
A tooth abscess is a purulent inflammation of the tissues surrounding the apex of the tooth root, i.e., the part of the tooth that is anchored in the jawbone. The interior of the abscess is filled with pus.
Acute inflammation of periapical tissues is characterized by a sudden onset and very severe symptoms and pain, which quickly prompt the patient to visit the dentist's office.
Tooth abscess – types
Intensive multiplication of bacteria in the root canal is one of the most common causes of tooth abscess. The body reacts to the increased expansion of bacteria with acute local inflammation. Due to the degree of advancement of the disease and its symptoms, we can distinguish the following types of abscesses:
- periapical – is the first phase of the disease, affecting the tooth pulp and periapical tissues. It manifests itself with severe pain, which intensifies when lying down, due to changes in temperature and when biting.
- subperiosteal – in this phase the abscess causes the most severe pain. It attacks the strongly innervated tissue, the periosteum, and causes its delamination.
- submucosal - this is the last stage of abscess development, which occurs when inflammation passes through the periosteum and is located under the mucosa.
It is also worth mentioning that a tooth abscess may develop asymptomatically or cause moderate symptoms. Most often, this situation occurs in the case of chronic inflammation of periapical tissues. In such a case, precise diagnosis and immediate implementation of treatment are important.
What is the treatment for a tooth abscess?
Treatment of a tooth abscess largely depends on its location and the stage of the disease. Generally, the basis is to remove accumulated pus and eliminate inflammation. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to take an X-ray to check whether the infection has spread to other areas. In the case of the periapical stage, pus is usually drained during root canal treatment, if the condition of the tooth allows it. The doctor removes the diseased pulp, cleans the canals, then tightly fills them and rebuilds the tooth crown. In a situation where the tooth is seriously damaged, resection of the apex of the diseased root or tooth extraction may be necessary.
The most common procedure for an abscess in the subperiosteal or submucosal stage is to incise the abscess and remove the pathological contents from inside. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. After draining the purulent secretion, the dentist cleans the infected area with saline. Further treatment – extraction or root canal treatment – depends on the general condition of the tooth.
If an abscess ruptures before a visit to the dentist takes place, we should not abandon it. It is important for the doctor to thoroughly clean the infected area and decide on further treatment or extraction of the tooth that was the cause of the purulent inflammation. As we have already mentioned, untreated abscess leads to many dangerous complications. To avoid this, if you recognize the symptoms, make an appointment with a dentist immediately. You should also not pop a visible abscess yourself to remove any accumulated pus. If you notice the first disturbing symptoms related to toothache, you should go to the dentist as soon as possible. Only a quick reaction can prevent further development of the disease. If the tooth needs to be extracted, the underlying infection must first be dealt with before surgery to remove the tooth. Additionally, your dentist will have options for replacing the missing tooth, should you need an extraction.