[Treatment of odontogenic abscesses]

Histories of 311 abscesses of odontogenic origin found in different tissue spaces were evaluated. Location, cause, age distribution, pathogenic germs, and therapeutical measures were discussed. The perimandibular abscess was found most frequently, the second most common was the submadibular abscess. The parapharyngeal and paratonsillary abscesses were the rarest. The age of the patients was mainly between 30 and 50 years. Most often the lower molars were the starting point of the abscess. The spectrum of pathogenic germs comprised 14 different germs. Surgical therapy which is always necessary is performed under analgo-sedation in adults, and in ketamine anesthesia in children. The tooth responsible for the abscess was removed seven days after the abscess incision, on the average. If indicated, post-operative therapy should be applied after the testing of germ resistance.