What is an abcess tooth, and treatment?
If a tooth is abscessed, it means there’s an infection in it/around it… there are two kinds: a periapical abscess, meaning there is an infection at the apex, or tip of the root, and a pericoronal abscess, meaning there is inflammationa and swelling surrounding the tooth… this is more due to something getting stuck in the sulcus (the area between the tooth and the gum) or an erupting tooth. A periapical abscess is treated by antibiotics first, to get rid of the infection, then one has to decide on whether to ‘save’ the tooth with root canal treatment or have it removed. A pericoronal abscess is sometimes treated with a deep scaling in the area, followed by warm salt water rinses… no extraction is needed.
