Is cellulitis secondary to tooth abscess a dental emergency?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 25-year-old male, and I have an abscess in my front tooth, which is infected. My whole upper lip and the area around my nose are swollen. My right nostril is closed because of it. I am just wondering if any of this is normal. I am in tremendous pain. Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This is a case of space infection occurring from the infection of the tooth, known as cellulitis secondary to a periapical abscess. It must have started as dental caries, spread to the tip of the root, then from there to the surrounding tissues and sinus. You need to be treated immediately.

Take a dental X-ray and OPG (orthopantomogram) to see how much infection has spread; then, the abscess needs to be drained, followed by the root canal treatment of the affected tooth. All the procedures mentioned above should be done under antibiotic therapy. Please do the treatment immediately and follow up after three days.

I hope this has helped you. Please feel free to reach out to me again in case of further queries.

Thank you.