In: Anatomy and Physiology
a 35 year medically fit non-smoking patient presents complaining of a buccal intraoral swelling associated with his lower right posterior teeth. In addition, the patient complains of bleeding gums and wishes to improve the appearance of the gingiva around tooth FDI 23 that clinically has associated class II gingival recession.
Initial clinical examination indicates an intraoral swelling with a draining sinus between teeth FDI 45 and 46, grade I mobility of 46, generalized clinical loss of attachment of 3-4mm and generalized pocketing of 5-6mm with bleeding on probing around all teeth.
Questions:
1-discuss the treatment options available for the management of
this patient
2-discuss the pros and cons for the non-surgical and surgical management
Incision: The abscess needs to be cut out and the pus, which contains bacteria, drained away. The doctor will administer a local anesthetic.
Treating a periapical abscess: Root canal treatment will be used to remove the abscess. A drill is used to bore a hole into the dead tooth so that the pus can come out. Any damaged tissue will be removed from the pulp. A root filling is then inserted into the space to prevent subsequent infections.
Treating a periodontal abscess: The abscess will be drained and the periodontal pocket cleaned. The surfaces of the root of the tooth will then be smoothed out by scaling and planing below the gum line. This helps the tooth heal and prevents further infections from occurring.
Surgery
People with a periapical abscess and a recurring infection may need to have diseased tissue surgically removed. This will be done by an oral surgeon. Those with a periodontal abscess and a recurring infection may have to have their gum tissue reshaped and the periodontal pocket removed. This procedure will be performed by an oral surgeon. If a dental abscess comes back, even after surgery, the tooth may be taken out.
Surgical management of a dental abscess can include root canal or tooth extraction. If there is a periapical dental abscess, it may require incision and drainage. Incision and drainage can be performed in the emergency department or the clinic but must be followed up by a dentist.
Pros. Incision and drainage or spontaneous rupture of the abscess quickly accelerates resolution of the infection.
Cons. Painful procedure, require OT admission.