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Dental Abscess

Home » Problems We Treat » Dental Abscess

Abscessed teeth are a common endodontic ailment that people of all ages can experience. The condition refers to a bacterial infection that affects a tooth, causing it to develop a pocket of pus somewhere in or around its structure. People with an abscessed tooth may have mild or severe radiating pain that could extend to their ears or necks.

If you have a dental abscess, it is important to receive the treatment you need from a licensed endodontic professional like Dr. Todd. The infection will not clear up without professional endodontic intervention. If you choose not to seek dental abscess treatment, the illness could spread to your neck, head, and other body parts.

Abscessed Teeth and Infected Teeth: What Are the Differences?

People often use the terms “dental abscesses” and “tooth infections” interchangeably, but they are not the same. A tooth infection results from oral bacteria entering a tooth and infecting its pulp. Tooth enamel is the hard outer layer of teeth that protects the pulp, nerves, and roots against bacteria, but germs can bypass the enamel if you have a deep cavity, gum disease, or a dental fracture.

An abscess can form when a dental infection does not receive prompt treatment. The infection can extend beyond the tooth pulp and root to infect the tip of the tooth root (periapical abscess) or the bone next to the affected tooth (periodontal abscess).

In severe cases, both tooth infections and abscesses can cause extreme pain that extends from the site of the bacterial damage to other parts of the head and neck. However, an advanced abscess will form a pus-filled pocket in the gum tissue near the infected tooth.

Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth

Radiating pain is one of the primary signs of a dental abscess. The ache might come and go periodically or spread to other parts of your ear, jaw, and neck. You might feel worse when lying down or chewing food.

Facial swelling and redness may also be present, as well as gum inflammation. The pain could lead to tooth sensitivity, which causes discomfort when you eat or drink something hot or cold. A periodontal abscess due to gum disease may cause your gum tissues to recede, weakening the support structure for your teeth and making them loose.

In some cases, people have tender lymph nodes in their necks or under their jaws. Fevers are also possible.

Causes of Dental Abscesses

Bacteria are the cause of dental abscesses. The mouth contains hundreds of bacteria types, some of which are more harmful than others. If bacteria enter a tooth or gum tissue, they could lead to an infection, which, if left untreated, can develop into an abscess.

The most common ways that bacteria invade teeth and gums are through:

  • Tooth Decay
  • Gum Disease
  • Cracked or Broken Tooth

Failing to receive timely treatment for the initial tooth infection can lead to the death of tooth pulp. Depending on the condition of your teeth, you could have multiple dental abscesses at once. They can also travel through bone and develop in various locations in the mouth, even though one tooth may be the cause of the infection.

Brushing and flossing at least twice a day and seeking routine dental care while limiting your sugar consumption will prevent excessive harmful bacteria growth in your mouth.

How We Diagnose Abscessed Teeth at Elite Endodontics

Dr. Todd of Elite Endodontics has several methods for diagnosing abscessed teeth in his Pensacola patients. During an endodontic examination, he will perform a visual inspection of your teeth and gums, he may also gently tap on your teeth. If an abscess is present, you will feel pain when he taps the infected tooth.

Dr. Todd may also take either an intraoral x-ray or 3-D Cone-Beam image to get a closer look at your teeth. Not only will the digital imaging help him pinpoint the location of an abscess, but the x-ray will also show him if the infection is spreading to other areas in your mouth.

Our Dental Abscess Treatment Options in Pensacola

Dental abscess treatment varies based on the severity of a patient’s condition. At Elite Endodontics, Dr. Todd may prescribe antibiotics to treat an oral infection that extends beyond the abscessed tooth. However, the medication alone will not get rid of the abscess.

A root canal is one of the more common dental abscess treatment options. To save the tooth and eliminate the source of the infection, Dr. Todd will clean out the pulp of the tooth, including the infected tissue, and reseal the tooth with a temporary filling. You will need to follow up with your general dentist for a permanent filling and/or crown. Alternatively, if the tooth is not salvageable, it may require extraction.

Find relief Today

During your visit, our Pensacola endodontists, Dr. Todd and Dr. Beam, will answer any and all questions about your oral health. We will provide a detailed financial consultation to ensure your treatments are timed effectively and affordably.

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patient testimonials

Experience 5-Star Care

Our goal is to provide our patients with the highest level of dental care available today. Read what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us! We can’t wait to do the same for you!

Evan D.
Guys, listen..if you have ANY hesitation about dental visits, you have to go to Elite Endodontics.

As soon as I walked in, I noticed how clean, calm, and beautiful the office was that it almost feels like a spa. I was greeted with a smile, and hardly waited before Nicole called me back. Nicole is a total gem! She was kind, gentle, and made sure I was comfortable the entire time.

Dr. Todd came back with the best energy… I swear he is a part time comedian. He is so funny and super down to earth, which helped take away any anxiety I was feeling. He is extremely knowledgeable and thorough, and took his time looking over my X-ray and explaining every step in simple terms so I was sure to understand what was happening.

What stood out the most to me was how you could tell the whole team enjoyed working together, it honestly felt more like hanging out with friends than sitting in a dental chair. The procedure was virtually pain-free, and on top of that I was finished in about an hour. I never thought a root canal could be so enjoyable lol! I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true!

I received phenomenal quality care, and I couldn't be more grateful for how smooth and positive the whole experience was.
Lucinda W.
The timing was perfect, little or no pain at all I needed a tynelol, very professional staff they even call to check on me that night after the surgery
Maria L.
Great Clinic! Very modern! Excellent equipment. Very nice and helpfull staff. And most of all the doctor who took care of me was great. He explained everything with details, answered all my questions, made sure all the time if i was feeling ok. I really do recommend that clinic.
C B.
What a wonderful endodontics facility! I guess I'm finally at the age where all of my doctors are younger than me. Dr. Jared Beam is a great example of the best and brightest of the newer generation. He was friendly and reassuring, knowledgeable and highly skilled. He's also got incredibly steady and gentle hands. He spent over an hour working on me, and was careful and conscientious of my comfort the whole time.

I didn't even realize how much pain I'd been in with the infected root until he drained it all out. It felt SO GOOD. I was so scared of the root canal, as I'd never had one before, but this felt really, really good. There was some minor soreness after, but nothing like I'd expected. You get sent home with a bag with water, Motrin, and follow up care info and the office calls you the next day to check on you. The support staff and office staff were wonderful. The facility was clean, pleasant, and up to date with all the new gear and xrays for treating and imaging your teeth. They even had a 3-D, panoramic type scanner to see the roots more clearly.
I would happily go back here again if I ever need another root canal (but I really hope I do not!), and I would unreservedly recommend this office to friends, family, and strangers on a train.

After my root canal was over, I told Dr. Beam about the Turkana Boy - a ~9 year old human erectus child who died from a dental abscess 1.5 million years ago - the first known dental fatality in the human record. It just goes to show how vitally important his work (and the work of other oral care specialists) still is and always will be (because even after 1.5 million years of steady advancements and evolution, people still get infected teeth). Definitely, they are all on the side of the angels. They sure saved me!

*As a footnote, the only thing I wish - which has nothing to do with this office, but only with state law and how much things have changed since the 80's-2000's - was that they could've offered nitrous gas to help with the anxiety and discomfort and fear. My neck and face and head hurt from the tension more than the tooth that was drilled. As a kid, my regular dentist had the nitrous gas on tap for anyone with anxiety issues. It's non-addicting, especially in the situation of a single use for dental care, safe, effective - and wears off so fast, you could drive yourself home afterwards. Why the govt/FDA/DEA made it impossible to get anymore (without a special license and a huge extra expense) is beyond me. I'm sure most dentists, especially endodontists, wish they still had that available in their toolbox for certain types of treatment. In most other countries, they give it to pregnant women during labor to make things easier, so it's clearly safe. I hope that one day, a huge number of medical & dental professionals will lobby to have it available again in regular & surgical offices, for use as needed (like for dental work and other things, such as my adult daughter, who passes out at the sight of a needle). But that's a cause for another day. :)

FYI, Elite Endodontics does offer sedation pills if desired, but you've got to pay an extra fee for an observer to monitor your breathing during the procedure and I, personally, found it cost prohibitive. But if you truly can't get through it any other way, or you don't mind the extra $ for a bit of extra comfort, then at least you know it's there for you if you need it. I am an herbalist, so I crafted my own herbal anxiety remedy and that was sufficient for me, but I still would've gotten the pills if it had been a bit less $. Regardless, I do appreciate that they offer that at all - most other places do not.
Ashley C.
Incredible experience! If you have dental anxiety or autoimmune/MCAS/long covid, listen up. When a dentist told me I’d need a root canal, I was literally shaking and felt like I may pass out. I wish I was exaggerating! 😄I’ve had dental anxiety as long as I can remember.

I entered Elite Endodontics not knowing what to expect, but Dr. Todd and his staff immediately put me at ease. They took my concerns seriously but also reassured me that nearly everyone has some degree of anxiety about the experience, and that they’d be there to talk me through every step. Well, they definitely delivered!

I want to note that Dr. Todd didn’t miss a beat when I explained I’ve dealt with long covid/MCAS and immediately offered me an alternative to a medication they often use in recovery. He has a protocol he uses for autoimmune patients. If you deal with one of these conditions, you know how overwhelming it can be to find a doctor who takes you seriously.

The environment here is warm and calming, and Aleah is honestly AMAZING. I am so lucky to have had her assisting Dr. Todd for my procedure. She really put me at ease and cheered me on with her sunshine-y disposition and encouragement, and even called to check on me the following day.

Dr. Todd himself is a unicorn of doctors. He has a very calming demeanor that makes you feel comfortable and reassured, while also taking great care in the detail of his work. When the machine gave a suspicious reading about the length of my tooth root, he immediately took other imaging to verify the correct size before proceeding. As a perfectionist myself, this is a characteristic I want in someone doing a root canal. 😂

I also noticed his intentionality in using phrases that foster a sense of calm. When possible, he describes the steps of the procedure in a way that is both accurate and neutral rather than the fear-mongering terminology we’re all used to when it comes to dental procedures. They even have cute animal videos playing on the television! These details make a huge difference for patients and show Dr. Todd and his office truly cares.

As for what to expect, believe it or not, my root canal was pain-free, and I was done in an hour! They’ll make sure your tooth is fully numb before beginning, and the most I felt was a tiny poke from the numbing shot. The next day, I had a moderate amount of soreness/sensitivity, and now that I’m on day two, I hardly feel anything.

If you’re considering traveling to this office, I would recommend it without hesitation. I’m so grateful my dentist recommended them!
Michelle D.
I can say nothing but the most positive things about Elite Endodontics. Dr. Todd and Leah were the best! I needed a root canal, my face was swollen, and I was in a lot of pain. They worked me in the same day, and as far as I'm concerned, they saved my life. The entire office staff was polite and caring. Dr. Todd and Leah lightened the mood and took away all of my fears. Within a couple of days, I was back to my previous self. I cannot thank them enough and highly recommend them to everyone I know. Thank you, Elite, for all that you did for me!
Irena O.
I was referred to this office from my dentist and I’m really pleased with the work they did for me. Everything went smoothly and they followed up with me the next day.
Toad F.
Had to get a root canal and Elite Endodontics was recommended by my dentist. Absolutely painless and the staff were professional and very friendly. I would absolutely recommend them!
Danil P.
Dr. Todd at Elite Endodontics is Professional with a friendly touch. I have had bad experiences with Dentists before. Dr. Todd performed a root canal and explained the procedure as he progressed. The relatively painless procedure was performed in less than an hour with care for my comfort. The office is modern and staff friendly. I recommend Dr Todd at Elite Endodontics for Excellent dental care.
Sharon B.
I had a root canal at Elite Endodontics. The procedure was completed within an hour with very little discomfort. Dr. Todd explained each step of the process carefully and gave clear instructions at the end. The assistant, Alesha, was so very kind and caring. She called the next day to check on me, which was much appreciated. I highly recommend Elite Endodontics to anyone needing a procedure that this office offers.
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Pensacola, FL
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