How Does Endodontic Care Help with a Dental Abscess?

An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms near an infected tooth. It forms when harmful bacteria invade the innermost tissues of your tooth because of a deep cavity, a crack in the enamel, or gum disease. Slowly but surely, the harmful bacteria burrow deep into the pulp—the soft, nerve-filled center of the tooth — and set up colonies. The result? A painful, pus-filled pocket of infection at the root of the tooth.

Here are the treatment options for an abscessed tooth. 

•       Draining the pus: Your dentist might need to make a small incision in the gums to release the pressure and drain the pus. Relief can be almost instant!
•       Root canal therapy: If we can save the tooth with a root canal, the dentist will flush out the infected tissues, sanitize the canals, and seal the tooth to protect it from future infections. Sometimes, the dental abscess can be caused by gum disease. In such cases, the dentist will administer a deep teeth cleaning. 
•       Medication: An infected tooth is painful, and the dentist may recommend painkillers to manage the pain. If the infection has spread or is causing fever and swelling, we’ll prescribe antibiotics to help your body fight off the bacteria.
•       Tooth extraction: It’s never our desire to remove your tooth. However, if the tooth is too far gone, it may need removal. But don’t worry—the extracted tooth is replaceable with an implant, bridge, or partial to restore your smile.