What is Dental Abcesses?

An abcess is a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the disintegration of tissue.Abscesses are usually caused by specific microorganisms that invade the tissues, often by way of small wounds or breaks in the skin. An abcess is a natural defense mechanism in which the body attempts to localize an infection and "wall off" the microorganisms so that they cannot spread throughout the body.

There are at least three types of dental abcesses that resemble each other. It is their point of origin that differentiates them.

A gum or gingival abscess is the result of injury to, or infection of, the surface of the gum tissue.

If an infection moves deep into gum pockets, drainage of pus is blocked and a periodontal abscess results.

A periapical abscess refers to a tooth in which the pulp is infected, usually secondary to tooth decay.

An abcess may occur when bacteria invades the dental pulp (the nerves and blood vessels that fill the central cavity of the tooth), causing the pulp to die. This most commonly happens as a result of dental caries, which destroy the tooth's enamel and dentin, allowing bacteria to reach the pulp. Bacteria can also gain access to the pulp when a tooth is injured.

Failure to treat an infected dental nerve usually leads to breakdown of the bone around the root with the formation of an abscess or cavity filled with pus.

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