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Clinically Reviewed by Dr. David Thurman, DDS

EMERGENCY & SURGICAL CARE

Dental Abscess Treatment in LoDo

Q: Emergency & Surgical Care

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A dental abscess is a pocket of infection that forms around a tooth’s root or in the surrounding gum tissue, often causing severe pain and swelling. At Dental Elements in LoDo, Dr. David Thurman evaluates and treats dental abscesses promptly to relieve pain and safely address the underlying bacterial infection.

Call or Text: 303-309-4093

What Is a Dental Abscess?

A serious infection requiring urgent care

A dental abscess is a localized, active bacterial infection that develops around the root of a tooth or deep within the periodontal (gum) tissue. It is usually the result of untreated, advanced tooth decay, a cracked tooth, or severe gum disease that has allowed bacteria to enter the sensitive inner pulp.

This trapped infection often causes intense, throbbing pain, facial swelling, and sometimes a visible, pimple-like bump on the gums. Left untreated, an abscess will not heal on its own and can spread to the surrounding jawbone and adjacent teeth. Professional treatment focuses on draining the infection and addressing the source, which may involve root canal therapy, an extraction, or a combination of approaches.

Do You Have Signs of a Dental Abscess?

Recognizing an active oral infection

Because an abscess can escalate rapidly, we highly encourage an immediate evaluation if you experience:

Throbbing Pain

Persistent, intense, or throbbing pain radiating around a specific tooth or up into your jaw and ear.

Noticeable Swelling

Visible swelling in the face, cheek, gum, or jaw near the affected tooth.

A Bump on the Gum

A visible bump, blister, or pimple-like area on the gum that may occasionally rupture and drain foul-tasting fluid.

Fever or General Illness

Feeling generally unwell, lethargic, or running a low-grade fever alongside your dental pain.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Controlling the Infection

Prompt Evaluation

The tooth and surrounding tissue are evaluated using targeted digital imaging to pinpoint the exact source and size of the infection in the bone.

Immediate Pain Relief

Managing your pain and discomfort is our first priority. The area is deeply numbed with local anesthetic.

Addressing the Infection

Depending on the cause, initial treatment may involve creating a pathway to drain the abscess and relieve the intense pressure.

Definitive Treatment

Once the acute infection is managed, Dr. Thurman will perform the necessary root canal therapy to save the tooth, or a safe extraction if it cannot be saved.

WHY DENTAL ELEMENTS

Eliminating the root cause

An untreated abscess can worsen quickly, which is why prompt evaluation matters. Treating an abscess effectively requires more than just prescribing antibiotics; it requires physically eliminating the source of the infection. At Dental Elements in LoDo, Dr. Thurman sees urgent cases quickly and explains clearly what is causing the infection and what treatment is needed. We do not just drain the infection and send you away; we seamlessly transition you into the appropriate definitive restorative care so you are not left waiting or guessing while in pain.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

Antibiotics and Systemic Risks

It is a common misconception that antibiotics will cure a tooth infection. While antibiotics can help control the spread of bacteria, they cannot penetrate the dead tissue inside an infected tooth to cure the abscess. Definitive dental treatment is always required. Furthermore, if you are experiencing significant facial swelling that spreads to your eye or down your neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, these are signs the infection has spread systemically. You must seek emergency medical care at a hospital immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abscesses

Is a dental abscess an emergency?

Yes. An abscess should be evaluated promptly, as untreated bacterial infections can spread to the jawbone and bloodstream.

Will I need a root canal or an extraction?

It depends entirely on the structural condition of the tooth. Dr. Thurman will evaluate the x-rays and explain the most predictable treatment to either save or remove the tooth.

Does treating an abscess hurt?

Local anesthetic is used to keep the treatment comfortable. Our primary goal is to relieve your severe pain, not add to it.

Can an abscess go away if the pain stops?

If the abscess ruptures, the pressure drops and the pain may temporarily subside. However, the infection is still active in the bone and requires professional treatment.

How much does abscess treatment cost?

The cost depends on the specific definitive treatment needed (e.g., a simple extraction vs. a root canal and crown). We provide a clear breakdown once we diagnose the tooth.

Think you may have a dental abscess?

Do not wait for the infection to spread. Call or text us to get evaluated promptly and safely out of pain.

Call or Text: 303-309-4093