Tooth Abscess in Crown and Root

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5767/toothabscess61793386181.jpgIn its simplest sense, a tooth abscess is an infection of the root of the tooth or of the tooth itself. When the root of the tooth is dead, a dentist is most likely to clean the tooth and the root canal before filling the tooth and root canal. In this case, a tooth abscess is likely to form in the root and the infection generates puss. The puss is responsible for most, if not all, of the symptoms of a tooth abscess, including swelling, nerve sensitivity, and pain. On the other hand, when the root of the tooth is still alive, the infection upsets the nerve of said tooth and causes pain. Tooth decay begins as the tooth abscess forms in the soft pulp located in the very center of the tooth. An abscess usually occurs on just a single tooth, but delayed treatment may result in the infection of the surrounding teeth.

A tooth abscess or root abscess is pus enclosed in the tissues of the jaw bone at the tip of an infected tusk. Usually the abscess originates from a bacterial infection that has accumulated in the soft pulp of the tooth. This is usually but not always associated with what is generally described as a dull throbbing excruciating ache.

A root abscess essentially originates from stagnant pulp tissue, usually caused by untreated tusk decay, cracked teeth or extensive periodontal disease. A failed root canal treatment, may also create a related abscess.


There are two types of root abscess. A periapical abscess starts in the dental pulp and is most community in children. A periodontal abscess begins in the supporting bone and tissue structures of the teeth, and is the most commonplace type in adults.

A root abscess usually occurs at the end of a root tip. However, it can sometimes be set up along any of the root length and even at the tip of the fang where the roots divide. It is a tiny aggregation of vanished tissue, live and ended cells. Any dental infection can seed bacteria throughout the body and cause other medical problems. It should always be treated as soon as possible. When the source of the anger is removed, the dental infection goes away and the bone surrounding the tusk heals by filling in the damaged area with new bone.

Root Abscess Presentation / Symptoms

Common symptoms of an acute tooth abscess is a toothache or a persistent, throbbing pain at the site of the infection. Putting force or warmth on the tooth, can persuade strict pain.

In some cases, a root abscess may perforate bone and start draining into the surrounding tissues creating local facial swelling. The lymph glands in the neck in some cases will become swollen and offer in response to the infection.

Sometimes a root abscess shows up as a root canal complication after a root canal has been completed. In most cases, retreatment or root canal surgery successfully removes the root canal infection. In root canal surgery, a window is made through the bone and the dental abscess is cleaned out with special dental instruments. Bone is sometimes placed into the surgical area to assist with healing and the patient election results in about a week to have the stitches removed. Fortunately, this procedure is only essential about one to two percent of all endodontic cases.

A toothache that is severe and continuous and results in gnawing or throbbing pain or sharp or shooting pain are common symptoms of an abscessed tusk. Other symptoms may include: fever; pain when chewing; sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold; bitter taste in the mouth; bad breath; swollen neck glands; general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling; redness and swelling of the gums; swollen area of the upper or lower jaw; an open, draining sore on the side of the gum.

If the root of the tooth dies as a result of infection, the toothache may stop. However, this doesn’t mean the infection has healed; the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue. Therefore, if you experience any of the above listed symptoms, it is important to see a dental specialist even if the pain subsides.

Treatment of Root Abscess

One treatment for an abscessed root is to extract it, thereby removing the source of infection. However, in select cases root canal therapy may be able save the tusk by cleaning the source of infection in the pulp cavity and root canal system.

Root Abscess Untreated Consequences

An untreated severe fang abscess may become large ample to perforate bone and extend into the soft tissue. From there it follows the footpath of least resistance. Largely dependent on the location of the infected tooth; the thickness of bone, muscle and dashboard attachments, the infection then spreads either internally or externally.

External drainage may begin as a boil which bursts allowing pus drainage from the abscess, intraorally (usually through the gum) or extra orally. Chronic drainage will allow an epithelial lining to form in this conveyance to form a pus draining canal (fistula). Sometimes this type of drainage will instantaneously support some of the painful symptoms associated with the humiliation.

Internal drainage is of more concern as growing infection makes room within the tissues surrounding the infection. Severe complications requiring direct hospitalisation include Ludwigs angina, which is a order of growing infection and cellulitis which closes the airway infinite distance causing suffocation in strict cases. Also infection can spread down the tissue spaces to the mediastinum which has significant consequences on the vital organs such as the heart. Another complication, usually from upper teeth, is a risk of septicaemia (infection of the blood), from connecting into blood vessels.

Depending on the severity of the infection, the sufferer may feel only mildly ill, or may in final cases require hospital care.

Prevention of Root Abscess

For arresting ivory abscess you should:

Have a good dental hygiene
Brushing teeth
Floss
Use antiseptic mouthwash
Make dental checkups
Make prompt treatment of tusk decay
Have low-sugar diet

Following good oral hygiene practices can thicken the risk of underdeveloped a tusk abscess. Also, if your teeth experience trauma (for example, become loosened or chipped), investigate prompt dental attention.
From : articlesbase.com,worldental.org

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