Dental Abscess YPO July 11 - Patient education videos · Gingival abscess: This is an abscess...

Disclaimer

This movie is an educational resource only and should not be used to manage your health. All decisions about the management of dental abscess must be made in conjunction with your dentist or a licencised health care provider.

Multimedia Health Education

DENTAL ABSCESS

MULTIMEDIA HEALTH EDUCATION MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION CONTENT

2 . Overview of Diseasea. What is a Dental Abscess?

1 . Normal Anatomya. Introduction

b. Normal Tooth Anatomy

3 . Treatment Optionsa. Diagnosis

b. Treatment

b. Types of Dental Abscessc. Symptoms d. Causes

c. Prevention

Multimedia Health EducationDENTAL ABSCESS

e. Risk Factors

d. Complications

INTRODUCTION

An Abscess is a collection of pus (yellowish infected fluid) which is formed due to infection. It is a result of the body’s natural defense mechanism to keep the infection “localized” and prevent it from spreading throughout the body. It is typically painful, and appears as a swollen area.


It is warm to touch and the surrounding skin appears pink or red in color. An abscess can develop in many parts of the body. When it affects the teeth it is called a dental abscess.

In order to learn more about dental abscess, it is important to understand the normal anatomy of the tooth.

Unit 1: Normal Tooth Anatomy

(Continued in next page)

Normal Tooth Anatomy

A tooth has two main parts: a crown portion and a root portion.

CrownRoot

Crown is the part of the tooth which is seen in the mouth.

Root is the part of the tooth which is inside the jaw bone.

(Fig. 1)

(Refer fig. 1 to 3)

(Fig. 2)

(Fig. 3)

The different parts of a tooth consist of :

(Fig. 4)

(Refer fig. 4)

Enamel DentinCementumPulp



Enamel

Enamel is the highly mineralized and hard outer substance of the tooth. Its color varies from light yellow to grayish white. Excess level of fluoride can disturb the cell function of the enamel forming cells preventing the normal maturation of the enamel.

(Refer fig. 5)

(Fig. 5)

Dentin

Dentin is that part of the tooth which is present between enamel or cementum and pulp chamber. It is softer than enamel and therefore decays more rapidly.

(Fig. 6)(Refer fig. 6)

Cementum

Cementum is a bony substance covering the root of the tooth. Its color is yellowish and is softer than dentin or enamel. The main function of cementum is to serve as a medium for periodontal ligaments to attach to the tooth for stability.

(Refer fig. 7)

(Fig. 7)



Pulp

The dental pulp is the center portion of the tooth. It is filled with soft connective tissue which contains blood vessels and nerves .It is commonly called the “nerve of the tooth”.

(Fig. 8)

(Refer fig. 8)


Unit 2: Overview of Disease


What is a Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess is an accumulation of pus in the teeth or gum tissue. It is also called “Dentoalveolar abscess"

Abscesses are formed naturally by the body's as a defense mechanism to contain the infection and prevent is from spreading to other areas.

Types of Dental Abscess

There are three types of dental abscess. These include:

Gingival abscess: This is an abscess formed due to infection or trauma to the surface of gum tissue.

Periodontal abscess: This type of abscess forms due to infection that has moved deeper into the gum areas. This is sometimes called a “gum boil”.

Periapical abscess: This is an abscess of a tooth due to infection of the pulp.

Symptoms of Dental AbscessYou may have any one of the following:

Toothache Continuous sharp, shooting or throbbing type of pain

Swelling of the gum or cheek


(Fig. 9)



Fever Bad breath Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

(Fig. 10)

Pain when opening or closing the mouth

No symptoms: A chronic dental abscess is a mild, slow spreading infection that may present with no symptoms at all.

Causes of Dental AbscessDental Abscess can occur from any one of the following causes:

Different types of bacteria

Tooth decay or cariesTrauma or injury to a tooth

Broken or chipped toothPoor oral hygiene

Faulty tooth restorations



Risk Factors of Dental AbscessA risk factor is something that increases your changes of developing a conditon or disease. Risk factors for developing Dental Abscesses include the following:

Dental caries and dental trauma

Poor oral hygiene

Failed root canal treatment

Diseases such as diabetes

Decreased salivation

Radiation therapy of the head and neck

Taking certain medications

Unit 3: Treatment Options


DiagnosisA risk factor is something that increases your changes of developing a conditon or disease. Risk factors for developing Dental Abscesses include the following:

History

Physical Examination

Radiography

HistoryYour dentist will ask you about the history of pain and swelling, when the pain increases and decreases, any medications taken, and any drug allergies.

(Fig. 11)(Refer fig. 11)

Physical Examination

Your dentist will exam your mouth looking for any cavities, loose teeth, facial swelling, or swelling of the gums. Sliding a probe between tooth and gum measures for tooth loss. If light tapping on the tooth causes pain, this indicates dental abscess.

(Fig. 12)

(Refer fig. 12)

Radiography

X-ray of tooth and surrounding bone is taken.

(Refer fig. 13) (Fig. 13)



TreatmentThe main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent spread of infection to other areas. The most important thing in determining the treatment plan is to find out which type of abscess is present so that proper treatment is administered. In all three types of abscesses the pus is drained.

(Fig. 14)

In the case of a Gingival abscess a probe is inserted into the abscess and the infected material is gently scraped away.

(Fig. 15)

In the case of a Periodontal abscess drainage of the pus is done by careful insertion of a dull probe into the pus pocket (space between the tooth surface and gum tissue) along the tooth.

(Fig. 16)


(Refer fig. 14 to 21)



(Fig. 17)

(Fig. 18)

In the case of a Periapical abscess the pus is drained through an incision in the gum or by enlarging the hole in the tooth. This relieves the pain and swelling.

If the tooth is restorable then the tooth is treated with root canal treatment. The dentist will drill into the dead tooth to release pus and remove damaged tissue from the center of the tooth. A root filling is then inserted into the space to prevent further Infection.

(Fig. 19)

(Fig. 20)(Refer fig. 14 to 21)




(Fig. 21)

(Refer fig. 14 to 21)

Antibiotics will be prescribed to fight the infection and prevent it from spreading if symptoms of fever and swelling of lymph nodes in the neck is present.

Medications

Pain medications are also prescribed to keep you comfortable at home. It is important to make sure you finish all antibiotics prescribed to ensure complete resolution of the infection. Antibiotics should not be used to delay dental treatment.

Prevention

How can you prevent a dental abscess?

Most dental abscesses are preventable as the majority occur as a result of tooth decay or gum disease.

Preventing Tooth decay and gum disease involves the following measures:

Regular tooth brushing and flossing

Use of mouthwashes

Tongue cleaning

Eating a healthy diet

Limiting sugary drinks and food

Avoidance of smoking and excess alcohol

Treating a fractured tooth

Professional dental checkup at least once a year.



Dental abscesses are usually treated successfully when patients see their dentist at the onset of symptoms of an abscess. If left untreated, however, complications can occur. The following conditions are rare, but can occur from untreated dental abscess:

Complications

(Fig. 22)

Ludwig’s angina: This is an infection of the floor of the mouth which can occur if bacteria in a dental abscess spread.

(Fig. 23)

Maxillary sinusitis: This is an infection of the small, air-filled spaces behind the cheek bones, known as maxillary sinuses.

(Fig. 24)

Dental cyst: A fluid filled cavity that develops at the bottom of the root of the tooth.



Osteomyelitis: This is a serious infection of the bone.

(Fig. 25)

(Fig. 26)

Cavernous thrombosis: This can occur from the spread of bacteria which causes a blood clot to form in a large vein at the base of brain.

The prognosis for dental abscess is good if it is treated early and appropriately with elimination of infection that causes the abscess.

Unit 3: Disclaimer

Disclaimer

Although every effort is made to educate you on dental abscess there may be specific information that was not discussed. Talk to your dentist or health care provider about any concerns you have about dental abscess.


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Dental Abscess YPO July 11 - Patient education videos · Gingival abscess: This is an abscess...

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Transcript of Dental Abscess YPO July 11 - Patient education videos · Gingival abscess: This is an abscess...