What is an Abscessed Tooth?
An abscessed tooth is an infection at the root of a tooth or between the tooth and gums. This dangerous dental emergency is caused by tooth decay, cracked teeth or gum disease. Left untreated, a tooth abscess can lead to excruciating pain, swelling in the face and neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing and even the spread of infection that can result in dangerous risks to your overall health.
What if I notice an abscessed tooth?
Our experienced emergency dentists are available the same day we are open to provide immediate care for an abscessed tooth. We will first perform an exam using x-rays to determine the location and severity of the abscess. Treatment may involve draining the infection and prescribing antibiotics. For severe cases, a root canal or tooth extraction is required to fully remove the abscess and prevent its return.
Don’t wait with the agonizing pain of an abscessed tooth – it will only get worse. Call our emergency dental team right away. Our skilled dentists will provide prompt after-hours treatment to relieve your pain and stop the spread of infection.
Our friendly and experienced staff are experts at handling insurance claims, and we offer flexible payment plans that fit your budget. Call now to schedule an emergency appointment or we accept walk-ins during open hours to treat your abscessed tooth.
Benefits
Stop the Infection
Relieve Pain
Save Your Tooth
Abscess Tooth
Affordable Relief When You Need It Most
We Accept Dental Insurance
Emergency Dental of St. Louis accepts most dental insurance plans. If you are unsure if we accept your insurance, give our office a call and our receptionist will be able to notify you. You may also schedule your emergency dental appointment while on the phone! Most dental insurance benefits don’t turn over to the next year so make sure you use up this year’s dental benefits before you lose it!
Financing Available
When you come to Emergency Dental of St. Louis we’ll help you apply for any of these convenient dental financing options. If you found a financing option that works for you and your ready to make an appointment or have any questions, give us a call!
What does dentist do for abscessed tooth?
Here are some of the main things a dentist does to treat an abscessed tooth:
- Examines the abscess and takes x-rays to determine the cause and extent of infection.
- Prescribes antibiotics to fight the infection and reduce swelling.
- Performs a pulpectomy or root canal treatment to remove infected pulp and clears out bacteria.
- Makes an incision to drain pus and relieve pressure if the infection has caused a gum abscess.
- Removes diseased tissue during root canal and seals the tooth.
- May perform dental crown procedure after root canal to protect and restore tooth.
- Extracts tooth if it cannot be saved through root canal therapy.
- Provides follow-up care to ensure infection is healing properly. May require additional antibiotic regimen.
- Educates patient on importance of good oral hygiene to prevent future abscesses.
The key goals are to drain the infection, remove diseased tissue, protect the tooth from further infection, and restore function. Prompt treatment is important to prevent complications.