How to treat tooth abscess?

Alveolar abscess is a common disease in dentistry, also known as periapical abscess, which is caused by inflammation of periodontal tissue and pulpitis. If not treated promptly, the inflammation will spread to the pulp and root, eventually leading to necrosis of the entire tooth. The most thorough treatment for alveolar abscess is root canal treatment. If the abscess is not very serious, the symptoms can be relieved by taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

Alveolar abscess, also known as periapical abscess, is a type of apical disease. Apical disease refers to inflammatory diseases occurring in the tissues around the tooth root, often secondary to pulp disease. If pulp inflammation caused by various factors is not effectively treated, the inflammation will spread from the crown pulp to the root. When the infection in the tooth root acts on the tissues around the tooth root through the apical foramen, it causes apical periodontitis. If it is not treated and controlled, it will quickly develop into a suppurative stage, namely, alveolar abscess.

Clinical manifestations

In the early stage of apical periodontitis, there are only discomfort, numbness, exudation and swelling. If it is not treated at this time, it will quickly develop into a suppurative stage, that is, an alveolar abscess. Some alveolar abscesses are caused by acute exacerbation of chronic apical periodontitis. When a tooth abscess forms, there will be severe and persistent pain. The patient feels that the joint is loose and even a light touch can cause severe pain. The increased pain often affects eating and sleeping, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as fever and general weakness. In severe cases, infection may occur in the corresponding maxillofacial area, manifested as soft tissue swelling, tenderness, and facial deformation. Pus will be discharged from the root tip to the surrounding tissues such as the lips, cheeks, and tongue mucosa. The pain will be relieved after the pus is discharged.

The pulp of the affected tooth is not vital, vertical percussion pain is obvious, the labial-buccal groove at the root apex becomes shallow, and there is facial swelling and fever. Often, questions can reveal whether the affected tooth has a history of pulp disease, a history of recurrent swelling, or a history of pulp treatment.

treat

Try to save the affected tooth.

1. Emergency treatment

(1) Open pulp drainage: For acute alveolar abscess, the pulp cavity drainage channel is opened under local anesthesia to relieve the pressure at the root apex and relieve pain.

(2) Incision and drainage of acute periapical abscesses should be performed under topical anesthesia 4 to 5 days after the acute inflammation. Draining the abscess too early will only increase the patient's pain and fail to achieve the purpose of drainage; draining the abscess too late will delay the disease, cause the lesion to expand, and cause systemic reactions.

(3) Jaw adjustment and modification: The jaw can be adjusted appropriately to reduce the bite, relieve the function, and allow for rest.

(4) Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs: Antibiotics or analgesics can be given orally or by injection depending on the severity of the patient's condition. Chinese herbal medicines that clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling and relieve pain can be used locally to accelerate the elimination of symptoms.

2.Perform complete root canal treatment

If there is periodontal disease, root canal treatment should be performed and periodontal system treatment should be performed at the same time.