Dental Emergency: Dental Abscess
A Dental Emergencies has the potential to come up at the least convenient times. Often causing severe pain, stress and incredible discomfort.
The information below highlights answers for the following questions:
- What is a dental abscess?
- What are the signs and symptoms?
- What is the Treatment for a Dental Abscess?
Acute Dental Abscess
An acute dental abscess can be described as an infection of the tooth and surrounding tissues, which can occur in a very short period of time. When bacteria are able to get inside of the tooth either via tooth decay, fractures, cracks, or trauma a dental abscess can form; as the bacteria are able to destroy tooth tissue and cause surrounding destruction to tissues outside the tooth. This can lead to severe inflammation and allow for an expanding infection.
Signs and Symptoms of a Dental Emergency
- Rapid onset pain
- Spontaneous pain
- Moderate to severe discomfort
- Swelling
- Elevated Temperature (Fever)
- Malaise (Tired)
Treatment
The main goal for the dentist and patient is to remove of the underlying cause (diagnosis and treatment of the culprit tooth). The dentist will perform a through check of the surrounding area and special tests to identify the cause of the dental abscess. The most common treatment options for a dental abscess either invovle root canal therapy or removal (extraction) of the tooth. In some cases possible drainage of the abscess may be necessary to increase the healing process.
If you wish for more information on a dental abscess or if you have a dental emergency please do not hesitate to contact Skygate Dental today on (07) 3114 1199 or 0406 579 197.