Tooth abscess

Alternative names:

abscess - tooth; dental abscess; periapical abscess; tooth infection

Definition:

A collection of infected material (pus) resulting from bacterial infection of the center (pulp) of a tooth.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Tooth abscess is a complication of dental caries. It may also result from trauma to the tooth (such as when a tooth is broken or chipped). Openings in the tooth enamel allow bacteria to infect the center of the tooth (the pulp). Infection may spread out from the root of the tooth and to the bones supporting the tooth.

Infection results in a collection of pus (dead tissue, live and dead bacteria, white blood cells) and swelling of the tissues within the tooth. This causes painful toothache. If the root of the tooth dies, the toothache may stop, but the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue.