Learn About - Root Canal Fillings

A Root Canal Abscess

What Causes an Endodontic Abscess?

An endodontic abscess is caused by infected pulpal tissue. This acute disease process then spreads to the outside of the root and enters the bone and soft tissues around the tooth. An endodontic abscess is oftentimes accompanied by a cascade of symptoms. These symptoms may include:

• Pain to hot liquids, touch, or biting pressure.
• Pressure that partially pushes the tooth out of the socket, causing it to contact the opposing tooth first upon biting.
• A loose tooth resulting from infection and subsequent pressure that builds around the outside of the tooth.
• Swelling localized to the tissue around the tooth.
• Swelling that spreads from the gums around the tooth into the cheek, lips, or neck areas. These tissues can become swollen resulting in an exaggerated asymmetry of the face.

In cases of extreme dental infection, the eye can become swollen shut or breathing can become difficult as pressure builds against vital structures. In these instances of severe infection, hospitalization may become necessary.

What Is Involved in the Emergency Management of an Abscessed Tooth?

An endodontic abscess can be extremely painful and emergency treatment is directed towards promptly relieving the patient's pain and, if present, reducing the swelling as quickly as possible. Emergency management would usually include getting the area profoundly numb and then creating a small window through the biting surface of the tooth and into the pulpal space. By opening the tooth in this manner, the dentist can relieve the pressure that has built up inside the tooth and allow the infected area to drain. Usually, the only procedures that are performed at the emergency visit are the ones that are necessary to eliminate acute pain and control the infection. Subsequent care an endodontic abscess will be necessary when the patient is more comfortable and relaxed in order to properly complete root canal treatment. At the conclusion of the emergency visit, the patient may require medications for pain and/or infection control and these will be prescribed by the doctor if they are necessary.

By Clifford J. Ruddle, DDS, in collaboration with Philip M. Smith, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Root Canal Dentist, Tooth Pain and Endodontic Disease

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Endodontic Disease?

Endodontic disease can manifest itself with a wide variety and combination of symptoms. Common symptoms of endodontic disease include:

• Lingering tooth sensitivity to cold liquids.
• Lingering tooth sensitivity to hot liquids.
• Tooth sensitivity to sweets.
• Tooth pain to biting pressure.
• Tooth pain that is referred from a tooth to another area, such as the neck, temple, or the ear.
• Spontaneous toothache, such as that experienced while reading a magazine, watching television, etc.
• Constant or intermittent tooth pain.
• Severe tooth pain.
• Throbbing tooth pain.
• Tooth pain that may occur in response to atmospheric pressure changes, such as when flying or scuba diving.
• Tooth pain that may occur in response to postural changes, such as when going from a standing to a reclining position.
• Tooth Swelling.

If you have any of these symptoms, it would be wise to see your dentist because you might have root canal disease or another dental problem.

Some of these endodontic disease symptoms may also be attributable to decay, defective fillings, periodontal diseases, cracked teeth, or other tooth or bite-related problems.

On other occasions, the symptoms may even be caused by disorders that are not related to the teeth.

Why May Endodontic Disease Cause Swelling?

When the pulpal tissue becomes severely diseased and necrotic, the resultant infection can spread from inside the tooth into the adjacent bone and soft tissues. As a result, swelling can occur in the tissues immediately surrounding the tooth.

If this situation is not treated and the endodontic disease process is not kept under control by the body's defenses, the infection can begin to spread into other tissue spaces, such as those around the eye or in the neck. In some situations, this can become a serious medical emergency.

By Clifford J. Ruddle, DDS, in collaboration with Philip M. Smith, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.