A root canal abscess usually occurs at the end of a root tip. However, it can sometimes be found along any of the root length and even at the top of the tooth where the roots divide. It is a small collection of dead tissue, live and dead cells. Any dental infection can seed bacteria throughout the body and cause other medical problems. It should always be treated as soon as possible. When the source of the irritation is removed, the dental infection goes away and the bone surrounding the tooth heals by filling in the damaged area with new bone.

          Dental x-rays often show a root canal abscess. In periapical dental x-rays, the infection can show up as a black circle at the end of a tooth root. However, if the supporting dental bone is hard and thick, problems inside the bone may not show up. In this case, the experience and training of the root canal dentist must be used to find the problem. The clinical symptoms of pain on biting and often an accompanying low grade gnawing pain also indicate that there is a problem even if the x-ray findings appear normal. In most cases, when a dentist takes the symptoms seriously and retreats the tooth, patients often get better.

         Sometimes a root canal abscess shows up as a root canal complication after a root canal has been completed. In most cases, retreatment or root canal surgery successfully removes the root canal infection. In root canal surgery, a window is made through the bone and the dental abscess is cleaned out with special dental instruments. Bone is sometimes placed into the surgical area to assist with healing and the patient returns in about a week to have the stitches removed. Fortunately, this procedure is only necessary about one to two percent of all endodontic cases.

          The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. Our dentists are very concerned about dental infections and the effects that these problems have on their patients' health. There is no reason not to treat and eliminate a root canal abscess as soon as it is discovered. If you have a dental problem and would like to schedule a free dental consultation with Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky or Dr. Charles Chung, call 404-874-7428 for an appointment.