7 Ways to Tell If You Are Living With An Infected Tooth

Are you suffering from a debilitating toothache? Perhaps you’ve noticed a little gum or jaw swelling, or your tooth seems to be a different color? It could be a serious tooth infection.

Your teeth are packed with nerves. That’s why a toothache, though it may only affect one part of your mouth, is excruciating. What’s more, the pain may sometimes be related to a deeper oral health issue.

If your tooth feels sore, sensitive, or you’re experiencing sharp pains in your mouth, you may have a tooth infection or a tooth abscess.

Why a tooth becomes infected

There are a number of causes of tooth infections. One of the most common causes is older root canals. When you have a root canal, your dental professional removes a nerve from the affected tooth. Unfortunately, bacteria can grow in that area, leading to an infection that your body struggles to fight off.

It’s important to recognize the signs of an infection, so you can seek immediate treatment.

How to tell if your tooth is infected

1. If you experience pain when eating, you may have a tooth infection. The infection or abscess spreads out of the root tip, which causes the gum and bone to be affected. Sometimes the pulsating pain and throbbing may be so severe that pain medication does not relieve your aches. This could be because the infection has spread, and there’s more pressure on the gums and bones.
2. Your tooth has turned a darker color compared to your other teeth.
3. You’re experiencing swelling of your jaw, face, and surrounding lymph nodes. You may also have jaw pain from the swelling.
4. Your gum is swollen and filled with pus. The raised swelling may look similar to a pimple around your infected tooth. An open pimple called a draining fistula, ruptures and releases pus, which is a sure-fire sign of an infection.
5. A bad taste in your mouth or bad breath may also be an indicator of an infection.
6. Difficulty moving and opening your mouth may be another red flag. You may have a hard time moving or opening your mouth as a result of the pain and swelling.
7. You have a general feeling of unwellness. If the infection is severe, it can cause you to feel unwell and even develop a fever.

How to cure a tooth infection

If you suspect that your tooth is infected, you do have several options. One is to save the tooth with a root canal. Even if the infected tooth is the result of an old root canal, we may be able to re-treat it and remove the infection.

Alternatively, we can perform a surgical extraction to remove the infection and prevent a recurrence.

If your tooth, other than the infection, is healthy, prescription antibiotics may help get rid of the infection.

What you should do if your tooth is infected

If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned seven symptoms, and you notice a toothache or swelling getting worse, you need to seek treatment immediately.

Infections, or abscesses, are not something you should try to manage alone. They can spread to other areas of your body, causing a range of problems.

Dr. Charles Dennis will take an X-ray and examine the area to determine the best course of action and the best possible way to remove the infection to prevent any further risks.

Never try to cure a tooth infection at home.

Book an emergency consultation with Dr. Charles Dennis, DMD at Abington Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today if you are suffering from a tooth infection.

Dental Infection Symptoms and Treatment

Contributors:  Renad S. Nahas, PharmD

Published: 14 December 2016
Updated: 2 December 2021

Are you worried you might have a tooth abscess? Or maybe your child does and you’re wondering how to treat an abscessed tooth. A mouth abscess is a serious medical issue that needs to be addressed promptly. And you’ll want to resolve it quickly because tooth abscess pain can be quite severe.

Thankfully, your dentist will be able to help you with swift abscessed tooth treatment, including tooth abscess antibiotics if the mouth infection is severe.

If you feel like you might need urgent care or pain relief, did you know you can connect with a dentist in your state right now for an online consultation? This is a service provided by Denteractive. Opt for a video call and the dentist will be able to prescribe you pain medication and antibiotics, if needed. Click here to read full details and get started.

To help you on your quest to learn more about oral abscesses, in this article we’ll answer the following questions:

• What is an abscessed tooth?
• What causes dental abscesses?
• Which tooth abscess symptoms should I look out for?
• What does abscessed tooth treatment involve?
• What are the best antibiotics for an abscessed tooth?
• How do you know if a tooth infection has spread?

We also have some tips for avoiding oral infections and keeping your mouth in a healthy state.

Before we dive in, if you need to speak to a dentist right now about an infection, and you can’t get in to see one, you can consult with a dentist, online right now:

What is an abscessed tooth?

A tooth abscess, or a dental abscess, is a pocket of pus that accumulates when a bacterial infection breaks down tissue. Normally this mouth abscess visibly manifests as an abscess on the gum. Abscesses can form in many different parts of the body. They are a natural defense mechanism, the aim being to block the infection from reaching other areas. The resulting build-up of pus is usually very painful.

It’s important to be able to identify an abscess in the gum or mouth

When it comes to mouth abscesses, both the gums and the teeth themselves are at risk. A dental abscess in the mouth can erode the periodontal structure (which supports the teeth) and the jaw bone, causing irreparable damage. In some cases, you may need a tooth extraction.

By understanding tooth abscess symptoms and seeking professional tooth infection treatment as soon as you become concerned, you can reduce the chances of further infection and complications.

Types of dental abscess

There are three main types of oral abscess: gingival, periodontal, and periapical. The distinguishing factor for each one is the location where the abscess forms.

Gingival abscess

A gingival abscess, or gum abscess, is an abscess in the gum that forms on the surface of the tissue at the gum line of the teeth (gingiva). For some people, a gum abscess looks somewhat like a pimple on the gum. This mouth abscess on the gum is often a result of external damage to the gum, for example from food entering the gumline. You may also experience an abscessed gum from damage like penetration from a toothpick.

If caught early, a mouth abscess on the gum is relatively easy to treat and recover from. If left untreated, however, abscessed gums can progress to a periodontal abscess and cause greater oral damage.

Periodontal abscess

Unlike an abscessed gum, this type of tooth abscess occurs deeper into the gum pockets. Since there is nowhere for pus to drain, the mouth abscess spreads into the surrounding tissue and jaw bone.

A periapical abscess begins with tooth decay

Periapical abscess

This type of mouth abscess begins in the soft tooth pulp, usually as a result of decay deep inside the tooth. Once tooth decay has eroded the protective enamel and dentin of the tooth, bacteria can invade the nerves and tooth pulp.

Pus from this infection may appear at the gum line of the tooth, similar to an abscessed gum, but more commonly it ends up in surrounding tissue which becomes inflamed.

Wisdom tooth abscess

Wisdom tooth abscesses are a particularly common type of periapical abscess, since the very back teeth are harder to clean. In addition, it’s harder for your dentist to spot cavities on these teeth and treat them early on.

Tooth abscess stages

The different tooth abscess stages can be summed up into three parts:

Tooth decay: This is the first stage of an abscessed tooth. The build-up of bacteria on the surface of the tooth create plaque. The plaque eats away at the tooth enamel and a cavity is formed. The bacteria works its way through the tooth and into the dentin layer. Once the bacteria get through the dentin and enter the pulp, you’ve got the beginning of your tooth abscess.

Infected pulp: The second of the tooth abscess stages is infection of the pulp (pulpitis). The bacteria is now in the tooth pulp, causing the pulp to become infected. Nerves begin to die, the immune system goes after the infection and more inflammation results. Pus is formed around the dying tooth root, causing the dental abscess.

Spreading of mouth infection: If the tooth abscess makes it to the third stage, it can begin to spread the infection to other parts of your mouth. The tooth abscess may chip away at bone tissue, and it can spread along the jaw bone. If never treated, it can even be fatal.

Causes of abscesses in the mouth

Your mouth naturally contains bacteria, and when not cleaned well, this bacteria forms plaque on your teeth and gums. Teeth infections develop when the acid produced by plaque starts to decay the teeth or gums.

As mentioned above, abscesses most commonly occur when tooth decay is left to spread. Other possible reasons for infection include:

• Gum disease (gingivitis)
• A cracked tooth
• Trauma
• Complications from dental surgery such as implants, root canal treatment, and extractions
• Rough tooth brushing
• Food stuck between teeth and gums

People with poor dental hygiene are more susceptible to oral abscesses due to an increased build-up of plaque. Any injury or surgery to teeth and gums can increase the chances of infection as delicate parts of the mouth are exposed to bacteria.

In addition, people with a weakened immune system are at greater risk of developing a dental infection leading to a mouth abscess. The immune system is affected by certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes. Some medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, also reduce a patient’s natural immunity.

While none of these things will automatically lead to a tooth or gum abscess, they are all factors that increase the risk of mouth infection.

Tooth abscess symptoms

In most cases, symptoms of an infected tooth are not demure. Instead, your abscessed tooth symptoms are likely to include strong pain and difficulty eating. Specifically, dental abscess symptoms include:

Tooth abscess symptoms include continuous, throbbing pain

• Continuous, throbbing pain
• Pain when the tooth is tapped
• Increased pain when eating hot or cold foods/drinks
• Greater discomfort when biting teeth together or chewing food
• A foul, bitter taste in the mouth from draining pus
• A bad smell in the mouth from the infection
• Swelling and reddening of the face or gums
• Bleeding from the gums
• A tooth that is loose and/or discolored
• A pea-sized bump on gums or pimple inside the mouth

More serious abscessed tooth symptoms which may indicate dental abscess complications include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Swollen lymph glands
• Pain spreading to the jaw, ear or neck on the same side as the infected tooth
• Difficulty opening your mouth (trismus)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing (dysphagia)
• General fatigue

These symptoms of an infected tooth usually come on quite suddenly. Within a few hours, you may find yourself in excruciating pain.

Note that patients can experience an initial toothache as part of their abscessed tooth symptoms, which then fades away. It’s easy to assume that the problem is fixed, but this is not the case. Your tooth pulp cannot heal itself, but once the nerve is destroyed you won’t experience any pain. It’s only once the infection has spread through the dead tooth into the surrounding gums and tissue that the tooth abscess symptoms will re-appear. At this point, far more extensive damage has been done.

To avoid tooth abscess complications, you should visit a dentist as soon as you notice any tooth infection symptoms, even if they disappear by themselves.

If you’re not sure what your symptoms mean, you can talk to a dentist right now with Denteractive. They have a network of dentists across the USA available for live text chat or a video consult. They’ll be able to assess your tooth abscess symptoms and advise you on the best course of action.

An online video consultation can also be a good option if you’re in severe pain or worried about infection but can’t get to a dentist right now.

Acute oral abscess vs. chronic oral abscess

A dental abscess in the mouth may appear as a pea-sized lump or pus pocket on the gums

The above dental abscess symptoms are all characteristic of what is called an acute dental abscess. This spreads fast and usually causes great discomfort and pain for the patient.

A chronic dental abscess, on the other hand, grows slowly and may cause no pain whatsoever. The patient is therefore unaware of the presence of the abscess, and only a dental x-ray will be able to identify it. This is usually a periapical abscess, spreading gradually through the tooth root and into the surrounding tissue.

Eventually, the pus may create a tunnel through the bone and tissue, known as a ‘fistula’ or ‘sinus tract’. This allows the pus to drain, and looks like a pimple inside your mouth. If you see or feel something like this in your mouth, even if you haven’t experienced any other tooth abscess symptoms, you should consult your dentist. If pus starts to drain through the fistula, you’ll know about it from the foul taste.

What does an abscessed tooth look like?

If you think you may have a dental abscess, you might be searching for abscessed tooth pictures to find out what an abscess in the mouth looks like. Keep in mind that not all abscesses are externally visible, so don’t put off visiting your dentist just because you can’t see any outward signs of infection.

While some mouth abscesses may appear as a small lump inside the mouth (as in the image above), some symptoms of an infected tooth manifest in much greater swelling either in the mouth or on the face.

Abscessed tooth pictures

These abscessed tooth pictures show some different aspects of what a mouth abscess looks like:

Yes, some of these tooth abscess pictures are quite alarming, but if you recognize these dental abscess symptoms, take a deep breath, stay calm and contact your dentist, who will skillfully help you through the treatment process. Make sure you get professional care ASAP, to avoid becoming one of the thousands of people who are hospitalized for dental abscesses each year.

Tooth abscess treatment

Dental abscess pain can be intense and prevent the patient from eating properly. In this case, it may be appropriate to seek emergency dental treatment. Even if the tooth abscess pain is bearable, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible to avoid further damage and complications. You can call 800-794-7437 to find a dentist available near you, 24/7.

If you’re having difficulty breathing or swallowing, or have a fever or facial swelling, call 911 or get straight to an emergency room. These are symptoms of the tooth infection spreading further into your jaw and possibly bloodstream, so you need urgent tooth abscess treatment.

You may be wondering how to get rid of a tooth abscess without going to the dentist. Well, simply put, there’s no safe way. Because abscesses are caused by harmful bacteria, treatment can be very dangerous without the proper tools and training.

For a professional, gum abscess treatment is relatively straightforward. Your dentist may begin by taking an x-ray to determine how far the abscess has spread and what kind of treatment is needed. Then, the first priority with any dental abscess treatment is to drain the pus that has built up and remove the source of the infection.

Draining a gum abscess

The method for doing this will depend on the type of mouth abscess. It may be possible to release the pus by applying gentle pressure, just as you would with a pimple on your skin. (Don’t try this treatment at home, your dentist will know how to drain a gum abscess safely and effectively.) The dentist will then use a small probe to scrape the remaining infected material from inside the abscess.

Your dentist will drain your gum abscess

In other cases, the dentist may have to make a small incision in the gum tissue to access the infected area.

Provided the infection hasn’t spread into the periodontal structure, no further tooth abscess treatment will be required although antibiotics for tooth infection may aid recovery.

If you have a gum abscess which ruptures by itself, you may find that the pain subsides significantly when the pressure is released. However, this doesn’t mean the mouth infection has cleared. You should still visit your dentist to have the area cleaned properly.

Where a fistula has formed on the gum because of a periodontal abscess, the dentist will insert a thin probe into the hole. They will then take an x-ray (with the probe still in place), and from this, they can see the original source of the infection.

Again, if you’re wondering how to drain a tooth abscess at home, you shouldn’t. A dentist is the best person to carry out this procedure.

If you are unsure how urgently you need treatment for your tooth abscess, chat online with a licensed US dentist within minutes with Denteractive. Dentists are available for a live video call or text chat 24/7, every day of the year.

Root canal treatment for abscessed teeth

Periapical abscesses can often be treated with a root canal. This involves drilling down through the crown of the tooth to access the infected pulp chamber. The dentist drains the pus from the abscess, cleans and disinfects the cavity, and applies a filling material. If the tooth has been weakened, a dental crown can help prolong its life.

Find more information on root canal procedures here, or watch this short video explaining how root canal treatment is conducted:

Root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges. – http://smiledentaldxb.com/endodontist-in-dubai/ Common Reasons for Root Canal Treatment: – Physical irritation caused by deep decay or a very large filling – Severe gum disease – Trauma, such as a physical blow to a tooth – constant striking of a tooth in the opposite jaw that traumatizes the tooth

Tooth abscess complications

If your abscess goes untreated, there are some serious abscess complications that could lead to extraction. In the case of periapical and periodontal abscess treatment, if the infection has spread into the jaw bone or periodontal ligament it may be necessary to extract one or more teeth. Extraction is a last resort, though, and will only be done if the dentist judges the bone to be too far eroded to support the teeth.

With periodontal abscess treatment, the dentist will first carry out a deep cleaning of the gum pocket. He or she can then assess the extent of the infection. Oral x-rays will also reveal how far the infection has spread.

The abscess may have caused the tooth to become loose, and in this case, an extraction may be the only solution. Extraction may also be necessary in cases where re-infection occurs after abscess removal, or when infection occurs in a tooth that has already undergone root canal treatment.

Medication for dental abscess treatment

After abscessed tooth treatment, any remaining pain can be managed with common over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen and Tylenol. Unless prescribed otherwise, adults may take 200-400mg of ibuprofen every 6-8 hours, up to a maximum of 1200mg every 24 hours. For acetaminophen (Tylenol/paracetamol) the recommended dose is 325-1000mg every 4-6 hours, up to a maximum of 4000mg (eight 500mg tablets) in 24 hours.

Along with OTC painkillers, your dentist will recommend plenty of rest and limiting your chewing to soft foods only until you are fully recovered.

Treatment with tooth abscess antibiotics

If you think you have an abscess, you’ll be wondering how to treat an abscessed tooth.  Depending on the severity of the abscess, the dentist may prescribe an antibiotic for the tooth infection. Dental abscess antibiotics are usually only issued when the patient has a fever or the infection is particularly widespread. Some of the most common tooth abscess antibiotics include:

• Penicillin: Penicillin is one of the most common antibiotics for an infected tooth.
• Amoxicillin: Amoxicillin is in the same class as penicillin and is another of the common antibiotics for an abscessed tooth.
• Metronidazole: Your dentist may prescribe you metronidazole along with penicillin to cover various kinds of species of bacteria.
• Clindamycin: This may be the best antibiotic for your tooth infection if you are allergic to penicillin.
• Erythromycin: This is another example of antibiotics for an abscessed tooth that you may be prescribed if you have allergies to the more common antibiotics like penicillin.

If your dentist does prescribe antibiotics for a gum abscess, they will tell you about the dosage and how long your tooth abscess antibiotics will take to work. You should mention if you have any sensitivity or resistance to specific antibiotics.

Tips for taking antibiotics correctly

It’s important that you follow your dentist’s instructions for taking antibiotics for a mouth infection. Always finish the full course of treatment, even if you feel better before the medicine is finished. If you still feel unwell after completing your antibiotic treatment, call your dentist.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue your prescribed schedule. Don’t double dose to make up for a missed one.

Take the capsules with a full glass of water so that the medication will not irritate your throat.

-Renad S. Nahhas, Pharmacist

How much does it cost to treat an abscess in the mouth?

There is no fixed cost for mouth abscess treatment. Not only do charges for tooth infection treatment vary from one dentist to another and between regions, but the type of treatment required for a dental infection will differ for each patient. Many dental insurance policies will reimburse some or all of the costs incurred for tooth infection treatment.

What to ask your dentist about an abscessed tooth

If you suspect you have a mouth abscess, here are some questions you may wish to ask your dentist at your appointment:

A tooth may become discolored from a dental abscess

• What are the symptoms of a tooth infection?
• Which type of oral abscess do I have?
• What tooth abscess treatment do you recommend?
• Are there any other options for tooth infection treatment?
• How long will tooth abscess treatment take, and how many visits will I need?
• Will I need to take time off work to recover?
• How often should I come for check-ups in the future?
• What oral care products do you recommend?

In some cases, damaged teeth become discolored over time. You may want to ask your dentist how likely this is in your case, and what tooth whitening options may be available if you do experience tooth discoloration.

How to treat a tooth abscess at home

If you have a painful abscessed tooth and a swollen face, you will probably be looking for an immediate home remedy. Although the only way to be sure of effective treatment for an abscess in the mouth is with a visit to the dentist, there are some tooth and gum abscess home treatments which can help alleviate the pain and stop the infection from spreading further while you wait for your appointment.

The best form of tooth abscess pain relief is ibuprofen, but acetaminophen (Tylenol) is second best. If you find just one of these ineffective, you may take both ibuprofen and acetaminophen up to the maximum doses shown on the packets.

Other ways to relieve tooth infection pain include:

• Rinsing and gargling with warm salt water
• Avoiding hot or cold food and drink
• Eating only soft foods
• Avoiding flossing around the affected area
• Using a soft toothbrush

Read more about ways to relieve tooth infection pain at home.

Antibiotics for tooth infection pain must be prescribed by a dentist. If you don’t seek professional tooth abscess treatment, it is likely the infection will keep spreading. This can lead to serious damage to your teeth, periodontal ligament, and jaw bone. The infection might spread to other parts of your body if left long enough.

If you can’t get an appointment to see your usual dentist right away, we recommend you get a live online consultation using Denteractive. Choose the video call option and, following an assessment, the dentist should be able to prescribe you stronger pain medication and antibiotics. This should provide some immediate relief from your tooth abscess pain while you wait for treatment in-person.

Remember that just because an abscess has drained and the pain has subsided, this doesn’t mean the infection is gone. You still need to visit a dentist for tooth abscess treatment.

How to prevent tooth and gum abscesses

Maintaining good oral health will minimize your chances of developing a gum abscess or a tooth abscess. There are many steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible:

Regular dental checkups will reduce your risk of developing a dental abscess in your mouth

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss or use an interdental brush at least once a day
• Avoid consuming sugary drinks and foods as snacks between meals or just before going to bed
• Where possible, brush soon after consuming foods and drinks with a high sugar or starch content
• Regularly visit your dentist to have oral check-ups

Even if you do develop dental cavities because of tooth decay, the affected tooth or teeth can be treated with a filling before the tooth pulp becomes infected and results in an abscessed tooth. This is far preferable to undergoing root canal treatment or an extraction for an abscessed tooth, so regular trips to the dentist are very important.

How to prevent a wisdom tooth infection

If you still have your wisdom teeth, especially if they haven’t emerged properly, speak to your dentist about your concerns about having an abscessed tooth, and whether it would be wise to have them removed. Since wisdom tooth abscesses are relatively common, having the teeth removed is often the best way to prevent infections, an abscessed tooth, and other complications.

Finally, you should seek dental care if you experience any trauma to your teeth, for example chipping or cracking. Even if there is no immediate pain, bacteria can invade the tooth immediately and a dental infection like an abscessed tooth may develop within days.

Conclusion

Now you know more about what a tooth abscess is, some symptoms to look for, and how to know if a mouth infection has spread. You also know a bit about abscessed tooth treatment options, and the importance of seeing a dentist so they can clean the infected tissue and prescribe antibiotics if needed.

So, if you notice a painful pimple on your gum, pus pockets on your gums or any other tooth infection symptoms, you should make sure to see your dentist. An abscessed tooth is serious, and often stems from a problem like tooth decay. Additionally, if your tooth abscess pain is so severe that you can’t eat, you should consider it a dental emergency.

Remember, you can use Denteractive’s online consultation service to speak to a dentist 24/7 about your problem. They have a network of dentists licensed in each state ready to assess your situation and prescribe medication, if needed. Alternatively, call 800-794-7437 to connect with a dentist open now near you. You can also find out more about this online dental service in our teledentistry guide.

FAQs

How do you drain a tooth abscess at home?

One of the abscessed tooth symptoms is a pus pocket on the gums, it might look sort of like a pimple on your gum. As part of your dental abscess treatment, your dentist will drain the abscess. Although the treatment might seem relatively straightforward, you should not try to drain your abscess at home! Only a dentist will know how to drain a gum abscess in a safe and effective manner.

Will a tooth abscess go away with antibiotics?

Although a tooth abscess may need additional treatment, your dentist might prescribe an antibiotic for your infected tooth. Some common tooth abscess antibiotics include penicillin and amoxicillin. Your dentist will be able to determine what exactly is needed to treat the abscess in your jaw.

What does a gum abscess look like?

Visible symptoms of abscessed gums can include pus pockets on the gum and swelling in your mouth or on your face. It may also manifest as a bump that looks like a pimple on the gum.

Can I have a gum abscess with no pain?

Although one of the most noticeable abscessed tooth symptoms is pain, an abscessed gum can sometimes cause little to no pain. Even if you aren’t experiencing pain, you must seek treatment. A mouth abscess won’t cure itself.

What are the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to the body?

In addition to localized pain, signs of a tooth infection spreading include feeling generally unwell, headache, fever, swelling, increased heart rate, dehydration and stomach pain. If your abscessed tooth symptoms have taken a turn for the worse, you need to seek emergency medical attention.

What are the best antibiotics for an infected tooth?

The best antibiotic for a tooth infection will be the one prescribed to you by your dentist. That being said, tooth abscess antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, clindamycin, and erythromycin.

Are there any over-the-counter antibiotics for an infected tooth?

No, there are no over-the-counter antibiotics, nor home remedies for a tooth abscess. Your dentist will prescribe you antibiotics for your infected tooth if necessary. After making an appointment to see your dentist for your abscessed tooth treatment, you can take painkillers like ibuprofen or Tylenol to ease the tooth abscess pain.

If you can’t get to a dental clinic for some reason, you can have an online consultation to receive the prescription you need.

How long does it take for amoxicillin to work with a tooth infection?

How long it takes antibiotics like amoxicillin to work varies by patient, though symptoms usually subside after only a few doses. That said, it is very important to finish the entire course of antibiotics. Finishing the whole course (usually 3-10 days) will avoid the infection returning stronger than before. It’s not easy to tell how an abscess is healing once the symptoms subside, but if they come back you know that it did not heal.

Can you get rid of a tooth infection without antibiotics?

In the case of a serious tooth infection, your dentist may tell you that you need to take antibiotics in order to cure it. If that is the case then it is important to do as your dentist says. There are cases, however, if your infection isn’t severe, where your dentist may simply drain the pus pocket on your gums, and have no need to prescribe you antibiotics for a tooth infection.

Tooth Abscess? Your Guide to Risks, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

4.2 (83.33%) 6 vote[s]

Contributors:

Renad Nahas is a pharmacist from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is a member of the Saudi Pharmaceutical society Student Chapter. She is interested in science, especially in pharmacotherapy, toxicology and socioeconomics. Renad is convinced that: fear is half of disease, reassurance is half of medicine, and patience is the beginning of healing; therefore she always likes to connect with patients and help as much as she can.

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The Silent Danger of Untreated Dental Infections

An infected tooth or infection of the gums is known as a dental abscess. Just as any infection, a dental abscess can cause a wide range of dangers if left untreated.

Most people have their abscessed teeth treated as the pain caused by an abscess can be extremely intense, even to the point of interfering with daily life. Others, however, don’t feel a great deal of pain or choose to suffer through the pain hoping that the problem will go away on its own.

At West Ryde Dental Clinic we know that the avoidance strategy is extremely dangerous, and we urge our patients to learn more about the threat of dental infection/abscess.

Why can dental infections be deadly?

Most people aren’t aware that an infection in the mouth can spread easily. In fact in worst cases such an infection can migrate to the brain or other parts of the body. Once this has happened the infection is extremely dangerous and may even be untreatable. Even something as simple as a cracked tooth can put you at risk if infection spreads to the tooth pulp and beyond. Often, people are unaware that they have a chip or crack in their tooth that can allow bacteria inside. By the time the chip or crack is identified, the damage is already done.

What are the types of dental abscesses?

There are two main types of oral abscesses– periapical, and periodontal abscesses.

• Periapical abscess (tooth abscess). These abscesses occur within the tooth, and are usually caused by untreated dental cavities, an injured or broken tooth, and in some cases they are even caused by prior dental work.
• Periodontal abscess (gum abscess). If food becomes trapped between the gum and tooth, bacteria can build up underneath the gum and in the bone. This can cause an abscess on the gums.

Symptoms of a dental abscess

Symptoms of a dental abscess are usually easy to identify and tend to be similar. It is important to know that that some abscesses are painless. Painless abscesses, luckily, often still show identifiable symptoms such as gums and cheeks that are swollen. Should the abscess occur in a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment, pain may be entirely absent as the nerve is already dead.

Here are a few things to look out for:

• Extreme, sharp, or throbbing pain
• Increased pain when pressure or heat is applied to affected area
• In extreme cases, swollen lymph glands and facial swelling
• Bad breath
• Fever
• Trismus – difficulty opening the mouth
• Insomnia
• General feeling of unwellness

What health problems do dental abscesses cause?

Let’s turn to a discussion to the different complications associated with these types of infections:

Spread of Infection: Any infection can spread if it isn’t treated. If nothing is done to halt a dental infection, it can spread to nearby teeth, the jaw, neck, and (in rare cases) the brain.

Sinus Irritation: Because of the close quarters between your teeth and sinuses, a tooth infection can trigger sinus irritation.

Ludwig’s Angina: Infections and inflammation are partners in crime. Ludwig’s Angina occurs when a skin infection spreads into the throat, causing swelling in the air passage, which can lead to trouble speaking, breathing, weakness, and swelling in the neck.

Meningitis: An inflammation of the membranes near the spinal cord and brain, meningitis can be triggered by not getting medical care for a tooth abscess before the infection spreads.

Jaw Infection: Just as a tooth infection can spread from the tooth to soft tissue in the mouth and throat, it’s also possible for the infectious bacteria to travel into the jawbone itself. In this case, swelling and tenderness are usually apparent.

Preventing dental abscesses

Following good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing twice daily, flossing once daily and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can go a long way towards preventing tooth abscesses.

Some other measures you can take include:

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or when the bristles become frayed
• Eliminate sugary snacks and eat only healthy foods
• Consider using an antiseptic or a fluoride mouth rinse to give your teeth additional protection against tooth decay
• Visit your West Ryde dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.

Treatment at West Ryde Dental Clinic

The goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection. To accomplish this, we may:

• Open up (incise) and drain the abscess.
• Perform a root canal.
• Pull the affected tooth.
• Prescribe antibiotics.

The West Ryde Dental Clinic Advantage

At West Ryde Dental Clinic, our service and our dentures are 100% personalized for you. All our dentists are highly motivated and accredited practitioners with graduate degrees from the University of Sydney. As well as the dentists, the supporting staff at West Ryde Dental Clinic are highly dedicated and experienced to ensure each visit with us is comfortable as possible.

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Tooth Abscess: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of an infected tooth. Anyone, from children to the elderly, can get one.

If you have one, it won’t get better on its own. You need treatment from a dentist or endodontist — a specialist who can help save your tooth. If you don’t treat it, the infection can spread beyond your jaw to your neck, head, or other body parts.

What Causes It?

Your tooth is hard on the outside, but the inside is filled with a pulp made up of nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. Sometimes it gets infected. Most often that results from:

If you don’t treat the infection, it can kill the pulp and lead to an abscess. There are two common types:

• A periapical abscess forms at the tip of your tooth’s root.
• A periodontal abscess affects the bone next to your tooth.

You can get more than one abscess. Or one abscess can travel through the bone and show up in several spots. But each is related to only one tooth.

You’re more likely to have these kinds of issues if you don’t brush your teeth at least twice a day or if there’s a lot of sugar in your diet. Sugary foods and drinks help bacteria grow, and that can lead to cavities and other problems.

What Are the Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth?

In some cases, the area around the tooth hurts, but not always. If it does, it’s usually a sharp, throbbing pain, especially when you put pressure on your tooth. It might also spread to your jaw or other parts of your face on the side that’s affected.

You might also notice:

Sometimes an abscess causes a pimple-like bump on your gum. If you press it and liquid oozes out, it’s a sure bet you have an abscessed tooth. That liquid is pus.

If you have swelling in your face and a fever, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room. The infection may have spread to other parts of your body.

How Is an Abscessed Tooth Diagnosed?

An abscessed tooth won’t go away on its own. See your dentist right away if you have signs of one. It’s important to treat it because there’s a chance it could spread to your jaw or other parts of your head or neck. This is especially true if your immune system is weak because of a health condition, like HIV or AIDS. Certain medications, including some cancer treatments, can also make it harder for your body to fight infections.

To find out if you have an abscessed tooth, your dentist probably will:

• Tap on your teeth. If you have an abscess, it’ll hurt when they touch the affected tooth.
• Take an X-ray. This can tell your dentist if you have an abscess and if it has spread to other parts of your mouth.

If your dentist can’t diagnose the abscess on their own, they’ll probably send you to an endodontist, who’s specially trained to work on abscessed teeth. They can tell for sure if you have an abscess and treat it if you do.

How Is an Abscessed Tooth Treated?

The goal is to get rid of the infection. To do that, the endodontist may try:

Antibiotics. If the infection has spread past the abscess site to your jaw or farther into your body, you’ll probably get them. However, they won’t cure the abscess.

Extraction. If the endodontist can’t save the tooth, it will have to come out.

Root canal. You may have heard about this common way to treat an abscess. It’s the best way to save your tooth. The endodontist drills into your tooth and cleans the pulp from inside it and the root canals that go down into your gum. They fill and seal the empty spaces. You’ll either get a filling or a crown. The restored tooth will look and work just like your other teeth.

Surgery. You may need it to drain a periodontal abscess.

Keep in mind, if an abscess ruptures, your pain will ease but you’ll still need treatment from a dentist or endodontist.

Can an Abscessed Tooth Be Prevented?

Take these simple steps to keep your teeth and gums healthy:

• Get regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings.
• Brush your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily to clean hard-to-reach spots between your teeth and gums.
• Make a dentist appointment as soon as possible if you have a loose or cracked tooth.
• Limit sugary foods and drinks. Sweets and sodas lead to cavities, which can cause an abscess.
• Cut down on snacks between meals.

Abscessed Tooth | Michigan Medicine

Topic Overview

What is an abscessed tooth?

An abscessed tooth is an infection in or around the tooth. It can be very painful. If the infection isn’t treated, it can spread and you can lose your tooth or have other health problems.

What causes an abscessed tooth?

Damage to the tooth, an untreated cavity (tooth decay), or gum disease can cause an abscessed tooth.

If a cavity isn’t treated, the inside of the tooth (called the pulp) can become infected. Bacteria can spread from the tooth to the tissue around it, creating an abscess.

Gum disease causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, leaving pockets. If food builds up in one of these pockets, bacteria can grow, and an abscess can form. Over time an abscess can cause the bone around the tooth to dissolve.

What are the symptoms?

You may have:

• Throbbing pain, especially when you chew.
• Red, swollen gums.
• A bad, salty taste in your mouth.
• Swelling in your jaw or face.
• A fever.
• A red, swollen bump in your mouth. It may have blood or pus oozing from it.
• A tooth that is very tender or sore to the touch.

Over time as the infection spreads, the bone in your jaw may start to dissolve. When this happens, you may feel less pain, but the infection will still be there. If you lose too much bone, your tooth will become loose and may have to be removed.

If you have a severe toothache, swelling of the gums or face, or drainage of pus, call your dentist right away. You may have an abscessed tooth. If it isn’t treated, the infection could spread and become dangerous.

How is an abscessed tooth diagnosed?

Your dentist will ask about your symptoms and look for swelling and other signs of infection in your mouth. He or she may tap on the tooth and apply heat or cold to the tooth.

Your dentist may also take dental X-rays.

How is it treated?

An abscessed tooth needs treatment right away. Your dentist may:

• Give you antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
• Make a hole in the tooth to drain the infection and relieve the pain.
• Do a root canal to remove the infected pulp in the tooth.
• Remove the tooth. This may be needed if you don’t want a root canal, or if you have one and it doesn’t work.

You and your doctor can decide what’s best for you.

To reduce pain and swelling, you can put an ice pack wrapped in a towel against your cheek. You can also try over-the-counter pain medicine, including acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you smoke or use any kind of tobacco, try not to do so while your tooth is healing.

How can you prevent an abscessed tooth?

The best way to prevent an abscessed tooth is to take good care of your teeth and gums:

• Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning and at night. Use fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association.
• Use dental floss to clean between your teeth every day.
• See your dentist for regular dental cleanings and checkups.
• Eat a healthy diet, avoid sugary foods and drinks, and limit between-meal snacks.

If you have a very dry mouth, you may be more at risk for deep cavities and tooth infections. To help prevent these, take frequent sips of water, chew sugarless gum, or suck on sugarless candy. Talk to your doctor about medicines that can help.

Imaging of Odontogenic Infections – PubMed

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doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2017.08.003.

Epub 2017 Oct 21.

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• ¹ BeamReaders, Inc, 7117 West Hood Place, Suite 110, Kennewick, WA 99336, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
• ² Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Radiology, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, 3165 Postle Hall, 305 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1267, USA.

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doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2017.08.003.

Epub 2017 Oct 21.

Affiliations

• ¹ BeamReaders, Inc, 7117 West Hood Place, Suite 110, Kennewick, WA 99336, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
• ² Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Radiology, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, 3165 Postle Hall, 305 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1267, USA.

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Abstract

Odontogenic infections represent a common clinical problem in patients of all ages. The presence of teeth enables the direct spread of inflammatory products from dental caries, trauma, and/or periodontal disease into the maxilla and mandible. The radiographic changes seen depend on the type and duration of the inflammatory process and host body response. Imaging plays a central role in identifying the source of infection and the extent of the disease spread and in detecting any complications. Many different imaging modalities can be used. The radiographic features associated with acute and chronic inflammatory processes are discussed.

Keywords:

Cross-sectional imaging; Head and neck spaces; Odontogenic infection; Osteomyelitis; Panoramic radiography.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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MeSH terms

• Bacterial Infections / diagnostic imaging*
• Dental Caries / diagnostic imaging*
• Focal Infection, Dental / diagnostic imaging*
• Patient Positioning / methods
• Periodontal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
• Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods
• Radiography, Dental / methods*
• Tooth Injuries / diagnostic imaging*

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Smoking, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss | Overviews of Diseases/Conditions | Tips From Former Smokers

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the gums and can affect the bone structure that supports your teeth. In severe cases, it can make your teeth fall out. Smoking is an important cause of severe gum disease in the United States.¹

Gum disease starts with bacteria (germs) on your teeth that get under your gums. If the germs stay on your teeth for too long, layers of plaque (film) and tartar (hardened plaque) develop. This buildup leads to early gum disease, called gingivitis.²

When gum disease gets worse, your gums can pull away from your teeth and form spaces that get infected. This is severe gum disease, also called periodontitis. The bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place can break down, and your teeth may loosen and need to be pulled out.³

Top of Page

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

²

• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth

Top of Page

How Is Smoking Related to Gum Disease?

Smoking weakens your body’s infection fighters (your immune system). This makes it harder to fight off a gum infection. Once you have gum damage, smoking also makes it harder for your gums to heal.^4,5,6

What does this mean for me if I am a smoker?

• You have twice the risk for gum disease compared with a nonsmoker.¹
• The more cigarettes you smoke, the greater your risk for gum disease.⁵
• The longer you smoke, the greater your risk for gum disease.⁵
• Treatments for gum disease may not work as well for people who smoke.³

Tobacco use in any form—cigarettes, pipes, and smokeless (spit) tobacco—raises your risk for gum disease.⁷

Top of Page

How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?

You can help avoid gum disease with good dental habits.³

• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Floss often to remove plaque.
• See a dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.
• Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

90,000 Acute toothache. Why shouldn’t the visit to the dentist be postponed?

Date of publication: 07/29/2020

Content

Acute toothache can occur at the most inopportune moment for various reasons. To prevent such a situation, timely diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases is required. You can independently stop a pain attack for a couple of hours, but only a specialist can eliminate the cause of the disease and its manifestations.Any dental disease can be cured at the Axioma Dental clinic. Doctors will carry out medical manipulations with high quality, painless and safe for health.

Possible causes of toothache

The causes of toothache can vary, as there are many organs in the mouth. Unpleasant sensations can occur with diseases of the teeth, gums, jaw, mucous membrane, maxillary sinus, as well as with injuries, neuritis, sinusitis, neoplasms.Unpleasant sensations have different intensity, manifestation, duration. Pain is spontaneous and causal, which arises from temperature (cold, heat), chemical (sharp, sweet), mechanical stimuli. By nature, the pain sensations are acute, chronic, aching, bursting, shooting, baking, paroxysmal.

Caries

The most common oral disease is dental caries. It is manifested by the defeat and destruction of hard tissues with the formation of a defect in the form of a carious cavity.As the disease progresses, pain sensations increase, manifested by attacks after exposure to stimuli. The tooth reacts to cold, hot, sweet, sour foods. The formation of a large carious cavity is accompanied by a retention of food in it, prolonged aching pains. The larger and deeper the defect in the tissues, the more painful the caries will be.

Dentists recommend treating caries in a timely manner, avoiding complications in the form of nerve inflammation.Treatment of a carious cavity consists in mechanical processing of enamel and dentin, restoration of the shape of the tooth with the help of a filling.

Pulpitis

The most painful dental pathology is pulpitis – an inflammation of a nerve. During the disease, acute toothache occurs, which manifests itself in very painful attacks, disrupts sleep, appetite, and normal human activity. Pulp inflammation can be acute and chronic, according to the pathomorphological manifestation: serous, purulent, granulating, gangrenous, fibrous.A disease occurs when an infection from the carious cavity enters the neurovascular bundle of the tooth.

The appearance of severe dentalgia is due to the localization of the nerve, it is located in the middle, surrounded by a hard tissue – dentin. With inflammation, edema occurs, the formation of exudate, which cannot come out and squeezes the nerve endings.

Treatment of pulpitis can only be carried out by a dentist in a clinic. It is absolutely impossible to eliminate the disease on your own.For therapy, the doctor uses special instruments for cleaning, processing, filling the root canals. If you experience acute spontaneous pain, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Lack of treatment threatens the onset of chronic pulpitis or the transition of infection to the periodontal tissue, the formation of a cyst.

Periodontitis

Sudden pain can occur from the onset or exacerbation of periodontitis. Periodontitis is the inflammation of the tissues that surround the tooth root.Infection from the oral cavity penetrates the periodontal tissues through the carious cavity, root canals. Painful sensations depend on the type of disease. Acute periodontitis, exacerbation of chronic are manifested by acute pain when biting on a tooth, inability to touch and eat. The chronic form of the disease causes aching, dull pain when biting.

Treatment of periodontitis is rather long and complex, requiring the professionalism of a doctor, special equipment, and several visits to the dentist.The therapy consists in eliminating the focus of infection at the apex of the root, cleansing, filling the root canals. If therapy is not carried out, further spread of microbes, periostitis, cyst formation, and tooth loss are possible.

Teething wisdom tooth

For most people, the process of erupting a wisdom tooth is painful, accompanied by complications. Toothache arises from inflammation of the surrounding tissues: gums, periodontium, periosteum, mucous membrane. Due to the lack of space in the dentition for the third molar, retention (incomplete eruption) and dystopia (eruption of a molar not in the dentition, in its place) often occur.The nature of pain, symptoms can be varied, depending on the position of the rudiment, individual anatomical features of the structure of the jaw.

A wisdom tooth can cause pericoronaritis, an inflammation of the mucous membrane over the crown of the molar with the formation of a mucous hood. A person is worried about acute pains, the inability to fully open the mouth, difficulty swallowing. Pain sensations can be given to the ear, temple, jaw, throat. Other complications of eruption include: trauma to the adjacent molar, biting the buccal mucosa, pressure on the dentition and provoking a malocclusion.In the absence of a timely visit to the dentist, complications are possible: periostitis, purulent pericoronitis, abscess, cyst.

Inflammation of the gums

Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) is a common disease that manifests itself on its own or as a symptom of periodontitis. It is characterized by sensitivity of the gums, pain during meals, hygienic cleaning. In acute illness, acute pain, bleeding, tissue edema, and redness appear. Chronic gingivitis causes aching, dull sensations.If the disease bothers more than three days, you need to contact your dentist. Only the doctor will correctly determine the cause, as well as provide effective treatment.

Sinusite

The reason why a tooth hurts can be sinusitis (inflammation of the maxillary sinus of the nose). The maxillary sinus is located in the body of the upper jaw next to the upper lateral teeth. If there is a thin plate of bone between the sinus and teeth, the infection can spread. Odontogenic sinusitis occurs from inflammation in the root of the upper molars, premolars.The disease is manifested by acute pain in the lateral part of the jaw, a feeling of heaviness, a violation of the general condition. It is impossible to eliminate the disease in any way on your own, so you need to go to the dentist right away.

Injuries, root fractures, cracks and chips

Tooth injuries are accompanied by dislocation, fracture of the tooth, the formation of chips, cracks. A person has pain in the gums, teeth, jaw, bleeding, tissue rupture may occur. Such injuries are acute and require urgent medical attention.

If a tooth gets sick at night

If a toothache occurs at night, then most likely these are manifestations of pulpitis. To stop a painful attack, you need to take one tablet of anesthetic. Suitable drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs). In the morning, you must definitely contact your dentist, since the toothache is stopped by the medicine only for 3-4 hours.

Where to go with a toothache at night? In case of urgent need, in case of injury to the maxillofacial area, you need to contact the emergency room or dental clinic, which work around the clock.

How to relieve severe toothache?

An effective way to relieve pain is to take a pain reliever. Severe pain requires professional qualified treatment by a doctor; it is unacceptable to constantly drink medications. Before visiting the dentist, you can independently determine what factors provoke an attack, try to eliminate them. Irritating factors include: taking cold, hot, sweet, sour, salty, ingestion of food debris.

To alleviate the discomfort, it is recommended to carry out hygienic cleaning of teeth, remove dental deposits, food debris.You can rinse your mouth with a mouthwash, antiseptic, or herbal decoction. Pain relief methods presented on the Internet are ineffective and can even be hazardous to health.

What should not be done in case of toothache?

Manipulations that should not be done for toothache:

1. Self-prescribe medication, especially antibiotics.
2. Apply warm compresses as they may cause suppurative inflammation.
3. Remove filling, tooth, root at home.
4. Apply medication to the carious cavity.
5. Use folk remedies.
6. Postpone the visit to the dentist.

Why do you need to see a dentist urgently?

A reasonable answer to the question: what to do in case of acute toothache? – visit a doctor. In the case of dental pathologies, it is impossible to carry out the treatment on your own. The teeth have a complex anatomy; to eliminate the focus of infection or inflammation, the dentist uses special instruments, medicines and equipment.In case of untimely or poor-quality treatment, complications arise, the need for tooth extraction.

The Axioma Dental Dental Clinic employs highly qualified specialists who provide a wide range of services. With the help of modern diagnostic and treatment methods, the necessary manipulations are carried out quickly, reliably, painlessly. In case of acute pain, patients are admitted out of turn.

Take care of your health, visit your doctor on time!

Sources:

1. Goreva L.A. Pain after endoscopic dental treatment: prognosis, prevention and treatment author. dis. for a job. learned. step. Cand. honey. Science specialty 14.00.21, 2009
2. Lane A.A. I. Teeth, their treatment, diseases and care; II. Artificial teeth, 1991
3. Nikolaev Dmitry Alexandrovich. Diagnostics and treatment of caries of the contact surfaces of the chewing teeth, 2015

Expert author:

Avdeeva Tatiana Dmitrievna

Dentist-therapist

The information presented in the article is for reference purposes and does not replace the advice of a qualified specialist.

At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor.

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90,000 Aimed X-ray of the tooth – Dentistry NOBEL in the Academic district Yekaterinburg

Targeted dental imaging is a popular option for diagnosing most problems in the oral cavity. The method is based on the use of X-rays and a receiver of these rays (radiovisiograph), which allows obtaining data on the internal tissues of the tooth, as well as the tissues surrounding the root.Given the local direction, X-rays can be taken for 1-3 teeth. The aim of the study is to supplement the data of visual examination, to simplify the diagnosis of a number of diseases, as well as to control the quality of treatment carried out by a specialist.

Indications for the appointment of a sighting image of a tooth

A modern aimed X-ray of the tooth (radiovisiography) must be carried out before treatment:

90 140

is prescribed

With regard to contraindications, it is traditionally not recommended to take an x-ray of the tooth in the first trimester of pregnancy.However, modern diagnostic equipment is extremely safe for the body. Therefore, if the correct diagnosis is necessary for medical reasons, it is not prohibited to take a dental X-ray while the child is waiting.

How is a sighting image of a tooth taken?

To make an X-ray of a tooth, the patient does not need any preliminary preparation. The process takes only 2 steps:

• A special protective apron must be attached to the chest
• Place the sensor in the oral cavity.
• It is recommended not to move while driving.

The resulting images are processed in a special program. The process takes a few seconds, does not cause pain and discomfort.

Types of sighting image of the tooth

There are two types of equipment used in dental clinics to take a single image of teeth:

• Antique analog X-ray machine: it can be used to take pictures on X-ray film.The process is not always comfortable, printing pictures takes time, and after 2 years the resulting image fades;
• modern digital radiovisiograph: a device that creates high-resolution electronic images. If necessary, the image can be enlarged and detailed information can be obtained. The images are permanently stored in the database of the dental clinic, and you can return to them at any time – even after several years. Plus, the radiation load of electronic equipment is 2-10 times less than that of analog equipment.

Advantages of sighting tooth

A dental image taken with a digital radiovisiograph has several advantages:

• A clear and detailed image of the tooth and the tissues that surround it;
• safety of the study for the body and no harm to the body;
• , you can assign repeated shots in the required amount without health consequences;
• organized and secure storage of images, the ability to return to past results;
• results can be saved on digital media, sent by e-mail;
• you can enlarge a certain area of ​​the image, getting more information;
• no need to wait for film to develop – results are available immediately.

The key advantage is high accuracy and information content, allowing to detect problems that are invisible during visual examination, as well as pathology and disease in the early stages.

Tooth X-ray: is it harmful?

This is an important question for many patients. An aiming image of a tooth on a modern digital apparatus is safe, since the radiation exposure indicator at a time is 500 below the permissible annual rate. Exposure to X-rays can be compared to daily exposure to natural radiation, such as from household appliances.Therefore, it is allowed to make an x-ray of the tooth for children and adults, nursing mothers and pregnant women (but preferably in the second trimester).

5 reasons to take an aiming image of a tooth with us

• We use a modern PLANMECA radiovisiograph from the best manufacturer on the world market.
• We guarantee a safe and fast diagnostic procedure.
• The minimum level of radiation that is not harmful to children and adults, pregnant and lactating.
• The result in digital form is stored in the archive of the clinic and is available at the dentist’s workplace.
• The most accurate diagnostics, which provides the basis for high-quality treatment and control.

Our equipment for radiovisiography

Are you interested in high-quality, safe and accurate dental x-rays for objective diagnosis or quality control of treatment? We have the necessary technical resources and professional knowledge to carry out the examination and further treatment.Prices for a sighting image of a tooth are as affordable as possible – especially, given the information content of this diagnostic method.

Periodontitis what is it? Dentistry DS

Periodontitis – inflammation of the periapical (surrounding the root) tissues of the tooth – is a fairly “popular” dental disease. In terms of the frequency of occurrence, only caries and pulpitis are ahead of it.

Symptoms of this dental disease in dynamics looks like this:

• Onset of aching pain associated with a specific tooth;
• The appearance of odor from the mouth;
• Acute attacks of pain that become more and more pronounced when the tooth is touched;
• Swelling of the gums around the affected periodontium;
• Complication of chewing function – it is difficult for the patient to take not only hard food, but even drink;
• Formation of a fistula through which pus enters the oral cavity.

Many patients ignore the initial symptoms of the disease and self-medicate. But self-treatment of periodontitis is extremely wrong: anesthesia with medications, warming up and rinsing with herbs will only lead to the fact that the symptomatic picture will be blurred. A neglected disease is extremely dangerous: pus accumulating in the sac at the apex of the root may not find a way out, and the infection will begin to spread to other organs through muscle tissue.

The cause of periodontitis can be infection, trauma, toxic substances. More often, periodontitis is the outcome of caries or pulpitis, in which the pulp (nerve) can no longer serve as a barrier for toxic products and they penetrate the apex of the tooth. Periodontitis, like pulpitis, in most cases develops in the initial stages almost imperceptibly, often after acute inflammation of the pulp and in the absence of appropriate treatment.

Forms of periodontitis:

1. The acute form, in turn, is divided into 2 types:
   • Serous – inflammation of the tissues surrounding the root, characterized by aching pain specifically in the diseased tooth.In some cases, patients notice a feeling that the tooth is stretched out and become longer. This is explained as follows – the edema slightly “pushes” the problem tooth upward, therefore, by closing the jaws, it first touches its antagonist. If you do not start treatment of periodontitis at this moment, the serous stage will turn into purulent in 2-3 days.
   • Purulent – more pronounced pain, which is aggravated by the slightest touch to the tooth. This form is characterized by the presence of fistulas, as well as swelling of the gums and cheeks.
2. Chronic periodontitis is poorly diagnosed at an early stage. Their symptoms depend on the phase: with an exacerbation, aching pain appears when touching the tooth and even its mobility. However, during a recession, only bad breath remains from the signs of periodontitis.

A fairly common type of chronic periodontitis is its granulomatous form. A purulent sac forms at the apex of the tooth root, which is classified according to size:

• up to 0.5 cm – granuloma;
• from 0.5 cm to 1 cm – cystogranuloma;
• from 1 cm – cyst.

Treatment of periodontitis

One visit to the dentist for a complete recovery from periodontitis is not enough. At the first appointment, it is necessary to take an X-ray, determine the form and stage of the disease.
You need to know that at any stage of periodontitis treatment, a tooth can be removed!

Medical treatment of acute (exacerbated chronic) periodontitis has several stages:

• At the 1st stage, the dentist must remove products of inflammation of the soft tissues of the tooth or old filling material from the root canal.This will allow pus to escape from the granuloma (or cyst) and from the root canal. There are frequent cases when it is necessary to expand the root canal. To do this, dentists use special drills, and sometimes they make a micro-incision in the gum;
• The second stage includes a set of measures for cleaning and rinsing the canals with antiseptics, control of the sample’s tolerance for tightness. Taking restorative drugs;
• At the final stage, the dentist only needs to fill the root canal and carious cavity.Filling is carried out only after the acute inflammatory sensations subside, and the inflammation itself subsides.

The consequences of treating acute or chronic periodontitis are similar to those of pulpitis. Within 3-5 days, painful sensations may occur when biting on a sore tooth. In some cases, an exacerbation occurs, requiring a repeated course of therapy and even a small incision in the gum. In general, strictly speaking, proper treatment of periodontitis requires patience.

Treatment of periodontitis

If for some reason it is not possible to carry out treatment, then the tooth must be removed, since it is extremely dangerous to leave this state of affairs when a chronic focus of infection develops in the body!

Restoration of teeth using CEREC technology 3

The CEREC 3 is a device invented by German specialists for aesthetic ceramic restorations.It is a modular CAD / CAM system for the fabrication of veneers, inlays, crowns and bridges. It allowed not only to reduce the number of visits to the dentist for prosthetics, but also to reduce the time spent by the patient at the appointment.

The abbreviation CAD in the name of the system stands for “computer aided design”, and CAM stands for “computer aided manufacturing”. The system itself consists of a three-dimensional camera for scanning teeth, a grinding block for milling and a computer for building virtual 3D models of the restorations.

How the CEREC 3

system works

With the help of a three-dimensional camera, it is possible to scan teeth in need of restoration both directly in the patient’s mouth and on an impression taken from the jaw. The camera sends the received information to the computer.

Special software enables the dentist to model the contours of the designed restoration. The image is displayed on the monitor screen with a twelve-fold magnification, which makes it possible to construct as accurately as possible.

The computer program independently calculates the dimensions of the future restoration and transfers the necessary information to the grinding unit, where the porcelain prosthesis is made.Grinding a single ceramic block on a grinder allows for a more durable restoration than a ceramic layering technique. Grinding the structure takes no more than half an hour and depends on its complexity.

The material for the manufacture of restorations in the CEREC 3 system is porcelain, since it is currently recognized as the most biocompatible material, does not absorb moisture, does not change color over time and has physical properties that are very close to those of a natural tooth.Ceramic restorations made with the CEREC 3 system are distinguished by the highest precision, reliability and excellent aesthetic qualities.

Advantages of the CEREC 3

system

The traditional method of restoration of the crown part of the tooth consists of several stages and lasts several days or even weeks, which requires the patient to visit the dentist several times. In this case, the doctor prepares the tooth, then takes impressions and sends them to the laboratory.Based on the impressions, the dental technician first makes plaster models, and then makes the necessary restorations (veneers, inlays, crowns) based on them.

The great advantage of the CEREC 3 system is that the entire fabrication process of the restorations takes place in one place and only requires one visit to the doctor. At the same time, the dentist also prepares the tooth, but instead of taking impressions, he most often uses a three-dimensional video camera, which broadcasts the image of the restored tooth directly to the monitor screen.The dentist only needs to model the missing tooth contours, after which the program calculates the dimensions of the restoration. High design and calculation accuracy ensures perfect fit of the finished prosthesis to the walls of the restored tooth.

Restoration of teeth with tabs

During the appointment, the dentist processes the tooth, removes cavities and other defects affected by caries, and then sprinkles the tooth with a special powder. Further, a three-dimensional camera is included in the work, which transmits the image of the tooth to the monitor screen.

After that, the doctor simulates the required restoration directly on the computer. The electronics calculates the dimensions of the structure and transfers the necessary data to the grinding unit, where it is manufactured. Within ten to twenty minutes, the tab is completely ready for fitting and subsequent fixation.

Restoration of teeth with veneers

Veneers are thin plates that are attached to the vestibular surface of the tooth.They help to correct defects such as gaps between teeth, enamel chips, wedge-shaped defect and others.

At the beginning of the veneer installation procedure, the dentist grinds off a thin layer of enamel on the vestibular surface of the tooth, and then, using a three-dimensional camera, transfers its image to the computer. Using special software, a new aesthetic tooth shape is modeled, after which data on the shape and size of the required veneer is transferred to the grinding unit.

When the veneer is made, it is tried on on the tooth and corrected if necessary. Before fixing, the veneer is covered with glaze and fired at a temperature of 960 degrees, as a result of which it acquires the required color. The restoration is attached to the tooth using special cement.

Restoration of the crown part of the tooth

The ceramic crown is made in the same way as the inlay. To make a crown or bridge on a framework, the dentist first prepares the teeth on which the structure will be fixed.After that, using a three-dimensional camera, the images of the teeth are scanned and transferred to a computer.

With the use of special software, the framework of the crown or bridge is modeled, then the electronics calculates their dimensions and transmits the command to grind. The finished frame has an obligatory gap along the edge of the joint with the stump of the restored tooth in the size of 25-35 microns. It is made of a special material that is highly durable and has transparency indicators similar to porcelain.At the end of the procedure, the framework is sent to the laboratory for veneering with ceramics.

Operating time

Ostrovskaya Marina Vladimirovna
Dentist therapist, pediatrician

Academic Dentistry – Dental Clinic in St. Petersburg

ACADEMIC DENTISTRY

Our specialists

Each specialist of “Academic Dentistry” has extensive practical experience and undergoes advanced training courses, master classes, attends lectures by European specialists and international conferences, which makes it possible to use world experience.Our dentists are ready to help you even in the most difficult cases.

Baranova Irina Bembeevna

dentist. Highest qualification category. Specialization: surgical dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic dentistry, therapeutic dentistry

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Galetsky Dmitry Vladislavovich

KMN. Associate Professor of the Department of Surgical Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, St. Petersburg State Medical University named after acad. I.P. Pavlova. Specialization: surgical dentistry, orthopedic dentistry.

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Apachidi Maria Vladimirovna

DENTIST-THERAPIST, DENTIST-SURGEON

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Apachidi Yannis Kharlampievich

ORTHOPEDIC DENTIST

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Vasiliev Alexey Viktorovich

DOCTOR-DENTIST. DMN. PROFESSOR

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Vasiliev Nikolay Vitalievich

ORTHOPEDIC DENTIST

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Dyatlova Olga Ivanovna

DENTIST-THERAPIST, DENTIST-SURGEON

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Kurashvili Liana Yurievna

DENTIST-THERAPIST, DENTIST-SURGEON

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Kukhtina Marianna Vladimirovna

STOMATOLOGIST-THERAPEUT

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Sudnik Natalya Viktorovna

STOMATOLOGIST-THERAPEUT

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Kholina Victoria Mikhailovna

DOCTOR-THERAPIST, CHILD DENTIST

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Shcherbina Natalia Timofeevna

STOMATOLOGIST-THERAPEUT

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Moldon Maria Vadimovna

dentist-surgeon (periodontist)

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Bobrovsky Mikhail Yurievich

orthopedic dentist

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Chebykin Igor Evgenievich

orthopedic dentist

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Ogurtsov Ivan Andreevich

dentist-surgeon

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Our specialists will find a solution to any dental problem.Contact “Academic Dentistry” and we will provide quality treatment and improve your condition.

Academic Dentistry

90,000 Why is a microscope in dentistry?

A dental microscope is a new quality in world dentistry that everyone who is sensitive to their health should know about.

One of the founders of dental microscopy, Harry Keer, said: “You can only cure what you can see.” This famous phrase accurately reflects the importance of the microscope in dentistry.

A thorough examination is the basis of the diagnostic process, the creation and implementation of a treatment plan. It is the operating microscope that is an excellent diagnostic tool that allows you to identify lesions that are invisible to the naked eye, it allows the doctor to work in the technique of minimal invasion – that is, as sparingly as possible in relation to healthy tooth tissues: “ Minimum processing at maximum magnification” …

The use of optics allows for adhesive bonding with high precision.The possibility of a thorough examination of the preparation margins is important for all restoration procedures, checking and correcting them under the control of a microscope can increase their accuracy, quality and, ultimately, shelf life.

Microscope is required for the treatment of complex root canals. Just imagine: the diameter of the canal of a tooth is measured in microns, and these are thousandths of a millimeter, the canals of the tooth have a complex anatomical structure and with the naked eye, without special optics, it is not easy, and sometimes impossible, to examine the entrances to them, pass through, process and fill them with high quality.Undetected root canals remain untreated and unsealed, which leads to the maintenance of the site of infection and premature tooth loss. The microscope helps the doctor to detect the entrances to the canals, to clean them efficiently and seal them thoroughly, which allows the tooth to be preserved for many years.

The microscope is indispensable for retreating teeth when it comes to opening the canals. With its help, the endodontist removes incompetent filling material, old pins and found fragments of dental files, broken and left during the previous treatment, while preserving healthy root tissue as much as possible.

The use of a microscope allows at the initial stage to detect perforations, cracks, in which there is no point in further treating the tooth. This eliminates knowingly ineffective procedures and wasting patients.

Dental treatment under a microscope is longer than traditional treatment, since with the use of modern technologies the doctor has the opportunity to see and process more canals, more thoroughly carry out the setting and revision of the restorations. Such critical procedures can only be performed by highly professional endodontics specialists.The entire treatment process is broadcast on a monitor, which allows a specially trained assistant to follow the progress of work and promptly follow the doctor’s instructions.

The use of a microscope today is an integral factor on the way to meeting international quality standards in modern dentistry.

Endodontics | DentalPro

Endodontic treatment of tooth root canals is called. A tooth consists of a hard top layer of enamel and dentin, and inside is a nerve and blood vessels.If the tooth has deep carious damage, cracks, chips, if the tooth is incorrectly or repeatedly treated, bacteria penetrate into the tooth and the infection covers the nerve and blood vessels. The tooth becomes very sensitive to hot and cold food, responds with pain when chewing or touching, acquires a gray tint; the gums swell and an intolerable toothache may occur. In some cases, endodontic treatment may be necessary even in the absence of any visible damage to the tooth or any tangible symptoms.However, it may be that the infection slowly damages the nerve without causing pain, spreads through the root of the tooth to the surrounding bone, destroys it, and the inflammation spreads.

Endodontic treatment may also be necessary for teeth whose canals have already been treated. This can happen if the root canals have been poorly sealed and bacteria have re-entered them. The inflammation can recur, spread beyond the tooth and lead to bone destruction.In this case, repeated endodontic dental treatment is applied – the old root filler is removed, everything is cleaned again, sterilized and hermetically filled.

How does this happen?

• The odontologist conducts a visual examination, an assessment of the patient’s complaints, X-ray diagnostics and decides whether endodontic treatment is necessary.

• Local anesthesia is applied, therefore the procedure is painless.

• Dental tissues damaged by caries are cleaned, access to the inner cavity of the tooth, which contains the nerve and blood vessels, is provided.

• With the help of special very small instruments, the cavity and canals are cleaned, the nerve and blood vessels that have died due to infection are removed. The cavity is disinfected, all bacteria in it are destroyed.

• If the infection has already spread to the bone surrounding the tooth, the tooth is filled with medicine. The medicine stays in the tooth for at least a week. It can be changed several times if necessary, therefore several visits may be required.

• If the infection has not spread and damaged the bone, the canals can be immediately filled with material that seals them and prevents re-inflammation.

• Once the canals have been filled, the tooth is sealed with a tooth-colored filling or a crown prosthesis, after which it looks and functions completely naturally.

• After successful endodontic treatment, bone damaged by inflammation may take 6 months or more to heal.All other symptoms disappear gradually over several days or weeks.

In difficult cases, as well as in all cases of retreatment, the DentalPRO clinic uses a microscope. It is an indispensable tool in endodontics, as it allows you to see an enlarged and clearer image.