Periapical Abscess

A periapical or dental abscess is the locally formed infection or pus in the periapical region of an infected or carious tooth. In a long-standing carious tooth, caries invade the enamel and spreads to dentin. The infection then involves the pulp, thereby entering into the root and invades the periapical tissues causing periapical infection. Symptoms include pain in the affected tooth, swelling, pain on the involved side of the face, fever, pus discharge, etc. An intraoral periapical radiograph can reveal the extent of the abscess. Though antibiotics and painkillers can temporarily relieve the pain or swelling, removing the etiology through a root canal treatment or tooth extraction is the permanent treatment.