Periodontal Abscess
Basics
Basics
Basics
Description
Description
- Collection of pus in supporting structures of teeth:
- Periodontal ligament
- Alveolar bone
- Periodontal pockets result from progression of periodontal disease and resultant bone loss:
- Food and debris accumulate in periodontal pockets
- Coronal epithelial tissues can reattach to tooth while bacteria and food debris remain trapped in pocket, impairing drainage
- Food and debris become secondarily infected in the setting of impaired drainage
- Complications:
- Osteomyelitis
- Dentocutaneous fistula
- Cavernous sinus thrombosis
- Ludwig angina
- Maxillary sinusitis
- Mediastinitis
- Tooth loss
- Sepsis
Pediatric Considerations
- Periodontal abscess is rare in children
- Periapical abscess is more common:
- Originates in pulp
- Associated with caries
Etiology
Etiology
- Anaerobic gram-negative rods
- Peptostreptococci
- Viridans group streptococci
- Neisseria species
- Usually polymicrobial
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