| Periodontal
Abcesses are a common dental emergency seen in the dental
office. The term periodontal refers to tissue and bone
surrounding or encasing a tooth. Periodontal abcesses
are a sequela to Periodontal Disease. This condition is
directly related to the supporting structure of the teeth,
the bone and the tissue (commonly referred to as the periodontium).
A periodontal abcess is the result of extension of inflammation
and or infection into the supporting structure of the
teeth and the subsequent destruction of the periodontium.
As the supporting structure is destroyed pockets are formed
that provide an area for the accumulation of food, plaque,
calculus (tartar) and bacteria. Ultimately a infection
pursues, and an abcess is born.
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Periodontitis
is characterized by bone loss
associated with the inflammation found in Gingivitis.
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|
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| Early
Bone Loss |
Moderate
Bone Loss |
Advanced
Bone Loss |
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| Symptoms
of a Periodontal Abcess |
|
Unlike
a toothache periodontal disease is usually painless in
its early stages. It begins as an inflammation of the
tissue round the neck of the tooth commonly referred to
as Gingivitis and becomes Periodontitis as the supporting
structure is destroyed. Most patients requiring emergency
treatment are in the acute phase of periodontal disease.
- 1.
A periodontal abcess is characterized by swelling of
the gums (gingival) adjacent to a tooth or teeth.
2. The mild painful swollen area often
arises overnight.
- 3.
In the early stages, there is a throbbing and burning
sensation.
- 4.
Usually does not prevent sleeping or
eating.
-
5. The teeth are usually not sensitive to touch, but
mobility may be present.
- 6.
Generally there is no lymph node involvement or swelling
under the chin.
- 7.
In the latter stages there is a reduction of size of
the abcess as it drains leaving a nasty taste in the
mouth. However, the feeling of discomfort may remain.
- 8.
They tend to be recurrent when left untreated.
Note:
A periodontal abcess must be differentiated from a tooth
abcess (periapical abcess). In a periapical abcess,
there is often sensitivity to percussion, no nasty taste
in the mouth, there may be loss of sleeping and eating,
lymph node involvement, fever, and swelling under chin
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| Temporary
Treatments for Periodontal Abcess
|
.The
best way to get temporary relief from a periodontal abcess
is through antibiotic therapy, and pain relieving medication
such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. This can generally
be accomplished by seeing an emergency dentist, or going
to an emergency medical facility. Generally it takes between
24-48 hours for antibiotics to take affect. Periodontal
treatment should be initiated immediately to prevent recurrent
episodes, in some case tooth extraction may be indicated
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