Abscessed Tooth

The nerve is dead or almost dead in an abscessed tooth, so the tooth is usually not sensitive to cold. Cold may make the tooth feel better as it causes the swelling to reduce some, causing less pressure. However, the tooth will be sensitive to touch, and the patient will feel pain even when the dentist gently taps on the tooth. Biting and chewing may be very painful, and the gums may be swollen and red.

An abscessed tooth, or periapical abscess, is an infection of the tissue inside a tooth with a dead nerve. Often this is the result of an untreated severe cavity, but it could result from a deep filling or trauma to the tooth. The pain and pressure come from a buildup of fluid inside the tooth. This painful condition must be treated immediately to prevent further infection and damage.

Your North Valdosta Dental Care dentists will eliminate the infection and attempt to preserve as much of the tooth as possible. An abscessed tooth is often treated with a root canal if the tooth can still be saved. This procedure removes the nerve and pulp center of the tooth but saves the root and some of the surface tooth structure. The tooth is then filled and fitted with a dental crown. If a tooth is too badly damaged to save, we may have to extract the tooth.

Our goal is always to save as much original tooth structure as possible. If an abscessed tooth is caught before the infection spreads too far, we can perform a root canal and save the tooth. An untreated abscess can lead to total loss of the tooth and can spread the infection to other teeth, gums, jaw, and other areas of the body.