An abscess is an infection in or around the tip of the root of the tooth which may or may not be painful. It occurs when the pulp, the nerve inside the root canal, dies and becomes inflamed or infected. The most common symptom of an abscess is an ache in the bone around the tooth, but you may also experience pain when biting. It also may result in swelling of the gums.
A dental abscess is usually treated with root canal treatment. Root Canal Treatment (Endodontic treatment) is the last try to save a tooth as a functional part of our chewing organ and is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected.
The inflammation or infection can have several causes: a deep decay, frequent dental procedures on the tooth, fracture, faulty crowns or a crack or chip in the tooth. Furthermore, trauma to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can become painful or lead to an abscess.
