06/11/2025
🦷 1. Gingival Abscess
Definition:
• A localized pus collection confined to the gum margin (gingiva) without involving the tooth or periodontal structures deeply.
Key Points:
• Location: On the gingival surface, usually between the tooth and gum margin.
• Cause: Foreign body (like popcorn husk, food debris) trapped in the gum.
• Tooth Vitality: Tooth is vital (alive) — no damage to pulp.
• Pain: Localized, mild to moderate pain.
• Swelling: Small, well-defined swelling on gum surface.
• Pus Discharge: Often visible at the margin.
• Treatment: Removal of foreign body, gentle drainage, saline rinse, sometimes antibiotics.
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🦷 2. Periodontal Abscess
Definition:
• A localized accumulation of pus within the periodontal pocket (supporting tissues of tooth), associated with periodontitis.
Key Points:
• Location: Lateral side of the tooth root, within deep periodontal pocket.
• Cause: Blockage of pocket drainage, calculus, or foreign material in pocket.
• Tooth Vitality: Tooth usually vital (pulp not affected initially).
• Pain: Deep, throbbing pain; worsens on chewing or touching the tooth.
• Swelling: Along the gum margin or lateral aspect of tooth.
• Pocket: Deep periodontal pocket with pus discharge on probing.
• Treatment: Drainage through pocket, scaling and root planing, sometimes antibiotics, and management of underlying periodontitis.
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🦷 3. Periapical Abscess
Definition:
• A localized pus collection at the apex (tip) of the tooth root, resulting from pulpal infection or necrosis.
Key Points:
• Location: At root apex, within alveolar bone.
• Cause: Bacterial invasion through caries → pulp infection → necrosis → spread to periapical region.
• Tooth Vitality: Tooth is non-vital (dead pulp).
• Pain: Severe, throbbing, continuous pain; tooth feels “high” or tender to bite.
• Swelling: Begins in alveolar bone → extends to soft tissue (can cause facial swelling).
• Pus Discharge: Through sinus tract or via periodontal ligament.
• Treatment: Root canal therapy (RCT) or extraction; drainage and antibiotics if swelling is extensive.
NOTE : treatment protocol is different for all the abscesses. Do not self medicate.
