Dental Abscess Treatment in Tucson, AZ

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It typically forms at the tip of the tooth root (periapical abscess) or in the gum beside the tooth root (periodontal abscess). Either way, it means bacteria have gotten somewhere they should not be, and your body is fighting back.

Abscesses do not resolve on their own. Antibiotics can slow the infection temporarily, but without draining the pus and treating the source (the dead nerve, the deep gum pocket, or the crack that let bacteria in), the infection will come back.

In our Tucson office, Dr. Torres treats dental abscesses the same day whenever possible. The typical approach is to numb the area, make a small incision to drain the pus, and then address the underlying cause. Sometimes that means a root canal to clean out the infected nerve. Sometimes extraction is the better option if the tooth is too damaged to save. Antibiotics are prescribed when the infection has spread beyond the immediate area.

The cost of treating an abscess depends on the treatment needed. Drainage alone is relatively straightforward. If a root canal or extraction is required, those have their own costs. We always explain costs before starting and accept most insurance plans.

What makes abscesses genuinely dangerous is the potential for the infection to spread. The bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. Signs of a spreading infection include fever, difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth, facial swelling that gets worse quickly, and feeling generally unwell. If you experience any of these, do not wait for a dental appointment. Go to the emergency room.