Periapical Abscess

A periapical abscess is an infection around the tip of a tooth root, and it occurs because the nerve inside the tooth has died. This most commonly happens when a deep cavity or an old injury has allowed bacteria to reach the nerve. It sounds serious, but it is a condition we treat calmly — and as a rule, you keep your own tooth.

How it develops

Inside the tooth, the nerve is protected. When bacteria penetrate all the way in — through a deep cavity, a knock to the tooth, or a leaking filling — the nerve can die, and the infection spreads outward toward the root tip. The progression can range from an intense, unprovoked pain to a quieter tenderness, and sometimes the infection is first seen on an X-ray.

How we can help

The treatment is a root canal: we clean the tooth’s canals and fill them with a dense material, allowing the infection to resolve and the bone to heal. This takes place under effective anaesthesia and in a calm setting. If the infection cannot be reached from inside, a small procedure at the root tip itself may be the solution. If you experience pain in the meantime, you can always call before 9:00 am to get an emergency appointment.