Short Description
A localized pus-filled infection in the gum pocket, often caused by gum disease or trapped debris.
Long Description
A periodontal abscess is a localized infection that forms in the gum tissue or periodontal pocket surrounding a tooth. It results from bacteria, trapped food debris, or untreated periodontal disease.
Symptoms include throbbing pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes fever or pus drainage. Unlike a periapical abscess, which originates from the tooth pulp, a periodontal abscess comes from the tissues that support the tooth.
Treatment typically involves draining the abscess, deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), and possibly antibiotics. In severe cases, surgery or tooth extraction may be required. Prompt care helps preserve surrounding bone and tooth structure.