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The periodontal abscess: a review
1Section of Graduate Periodontology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Complutense, Madrid, Spain. dhg2587@teleline.es
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
|July 7, 2000
Summary
Periodontal abscesses are a common dental emergency, often linked to existing periodontitis or foreign object impaction. Treatment relies on empiricism due to limited evidence, with antibiotic use being controversial.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Oral Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Periodontal abscesses are frequent, causing rapid destruction of periodontal tissues.
- They necessitate urgent care, impact tooth prognosis, and risk infection spread.
- Limited evidence-based information exists, with most literature based on empirical observations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically analyze available dental and medical literature on periodontal abscesses.
- To review prevalence, etiologies, pathogenesis, diagnosis, microbiology, and treatment options.
- To address the lack of evidence-based conclusions in current literature.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of dental and medical literature.
- Analysis of studies on prevalence, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, microbiology, and treatment.
- Critical evaluation of existing case reports and textbook information.
Main Results:
- Periodontal abscess is the 3rd most frequent dental emergency.
- Prevalence is high in untreated and maintenance phase periodontal patients.
- Etiologies include periodontitis exacerbation, foreign object impaction, and radicular abnormalities.
- Microflora is dominated by gram-negative anaerobic rods, including periodontal pathogens.
- Complications include tooth loss and systemic infection spread.
Conclusions:
- Diagnosis and treatment are largely empirical due to a lack of evidence-based data.
- The role of systemic antibiotics in treatment remains controversial.
- Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for periodontal abscess management.