Tooth Abscess

Diagnosis

To diagnose a dental abscess, your dentist will examine your tooth and surrounding area and may:

• Tap on your teeth to check for sensitivity, as an abscessed tooth is usually painful to touch or pressure
• Recommend an X-ray to identify the abscess and determine whether the infection has spread to other areas
• Suggest a computerized tomography (CT) scan if the infection may have spread within the neck, to assess its severity

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection. Depending on the situation, your dentist may:

• Open and drain the abscess. A small incision allows pus to drain, and the area is rinsed with saline. Occasionally, a small rubber drain is placed to keep the area open while swelling decreases
• Perform a root canal. The dentist drills into the tooth, removes diseased pulp, drains the abscess, and fills and seals the pulp chamber and root canals. A crown may be placed to strengthen the tooth, especially in back teeth
• Extract the affected tooth if it cannot be saved, draining the abscess to remove the infection
• Prescribe antibiotics if the infection has spread beyond the abscessed tooth, involves nearby teeth, the jaw, or other areas, or if the patient has a weakened immune system. Localized abscesses may not require antibiotics

This approach helps resolve the infection, relieve pain, and prevent complications while preserving dental health when possible.