There are many dental health concerns that can develop in one’s lifetime. One of the most painful conditions that might occur in the smile is that of an abscessed tooth. If you are dealing with severe swelling of the jaw and an unbearable toothache, you might have a tooth abscess. In situations such as this, the team of Schmitt Dental in Clarksville, TN encourages you to book a consultation visit and evaluation at our practice to get a definitive diagnosis and discuss treatment.
What is an abscess?
An abscess is a pus pocket that can develop in the gum pockets, gum tissue, or the soft pulp of the tooth. It is a development of a bacterial infection that requires immediate care to get patients back to good oral health—and back to living their lives without pain.
How is a tooth abscess treated?
The type of treatment used to address a tooth abscess will vary depending on the type of abscess and its severity. During a visit to the dentist for tooth pain and jaw swelling, the dentist will take a series of x-rays to obtain imaging that allows him or her to make a proper diagnosis of the condition. A physical evaluation is often performed as well to look for the noticeable signs of a tooth abscess.
Then, treatment options are discussed. For some patients, treatment may include root canal therapy, or “endodontic therapy.” This treatment involves the removal of the abscess and dental pulp within the tooth to eliminate pain and address the infection. However, if the abscess is severe and cannot be effectively addressed with endodontic therapies, it may need to be permanently removed with tooth extraction. Our dentists will find the most conservative yet effective treatment option based on the patient’s unique situation.
Call Schmitt Dental today to find out more about treatment for an abscessed tooth
Patients of the Clarksville, TN communities can connect with our providers at Schmitt Dental by calling one of our three office locations to request an appointment. We are open to new patients and families considering comprehensive dental care in their city.