Periodontal abscess
Background
- Occurs when plaque and debris become entrapped in periodontal pocket
- Other terms: lateral abscess, parietal abscess
Clinical Features
- Severe pain
- Sensitivity to palpation
- Suppuration with gentle pressure
Differential diagnosis
Dentoalveolar Injuries
Odontogenic Infections
- Acute alveolar osteitis (dry socket)
- Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (trench mouth)
- Dental abscess
- Periapical abscess
- Periodontal abscess
- Ludwig's angina
- Pulpitis (dental caries)
- Pericoronitis
- Peritonsillar abscess (PTA)
- Retropharyngeal abscess
- Vincent's angina - tonsillitis and pharyngitis
Other
Evaluation
- Usually clinical
Management
- Local therapy for small abscesses
- Penicillin VK 500 mg PO QID or clindamycin 300 mg PO QID
- Warm saline rinses
- Larger abscesses require I+D
- Chlorhexidine 0.1% mouth rinses BID for short-term use
Disposition
- Out-patient treatment