The prevalence of periodontal abscess

The records of 5,467 periodontal patients in a military practice were reviewed for ADA case type 3 or 4, resulting in 203 patients (3.71 percent) in the two categories. These records were then examined for 1) sex of the patient; 2) occurrence of a periodontal abscess; 3) whether or not the patient was in active periodontal treatment at the time of the abscess; and 4) which tooth or teeth were involved. Periodontal treatment was shown to greatly reduce the incidence of periodontal abscesses among case type 3 patients. ADA case type 4 patients were much more likely to develop an abscess than case type 3 patients, and treatment had no effect on the rate of abscess formation in these patients. In those patients who developed an abscess while undergoing periodontal treatment, women showed a greater tendency toward abscess formation. Maxillary incisors and first premolars had the lowest rates of involvement.