Dental Abscess (Periapical Abscess)

• •Severe, constant throbbing pain that may radiate to the jaw, ear, or neck.
• •Visible swelling of the gum, cheek, or face.
• •A bad taste in the mouth or sudden gush of foul-tasting fluid (a draining sinus tract).
• •Fever, lymph node swelling, or a general feeling of being unwell.
• •Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or — in serious cases — breathing.

Almost always the consequence of an untreated cavity, an untreated cracked tooth, a failed previous root canal, or trauma — any pathway that lets bacteria reach the dental pulp and persist long enough to kill it.

Diagnosed clinically (severe pain, swelling, tenderness to percussion) and confirmed radiographically — a periapical X-ray usually shows a dark area at the root tip. J. Morita Veraview X800 CBCT in Endo Mode (per AAE/AAOMR position statement) is used when the abscess does not show clearly on a standard X-ray or when it has spread into the sinus or jaw spaces.

Definitive treatment removes the source of bacteria: root canal therapy (which preserves the tooth) or extraction. Drainage of the swelling — through the tooth itself, through a small gum incision, or both — provides immediate relief. Antibiotics are an adjunct for systemic spread (fever, facial swelling, lymph node involvement), not a substitute for treating the tooth. Untreated facial infection is a medical emergency.