Abstract
Purulent infections of periodontal tissues are known as periodontal abscesses localized to the region of the involved tooth. Due to the high prevalence rate and aggressive symptoms, it is considered a dental emergency; urgent care is mandatory to maintain the overall health and well being of the patient. This case report describes the management of a patient who presented with an acute periodontal abscess secondary to poor oral hygiene. Clinically and radiographically, the lesion was mimicking an acute apical abscess secondary to pulpal necrosis. Periodontal treatment was started after completion of antibiotic therapy. The clinical presentation of the condition and results of the recovery, along with a brief review of relevant literature are discussed.
Highlights
Periodontium, as a general term, describes the tissues surrounding and supporting the tooth structure
A localized purulent infection of the periodontal tissues adjacent to a periodontal pocket, known as a periodontal abscess, is a frequently encountered periodontal condition that may be characterized by the rapid destruction of periodontal tissues [1,2]
Presence or absence of dental caries and deep periodontal pocket defects, radiographic examination, location of the abscess, and responsiveness to periodontal therapies are usually used to differentially diagnose a periodontal abscess from a lesion originating from the pulpal tissues of the affected tooth [4]
Summary
Periodontium, as a general term, describes the tissues surrounding and supporting the tooth structure. The symptoms generally involve severe pain, swelling of the alveolar mucosa or gingiva, a reddish blue or red appearance of the affected tissues, and difficulty in chewing [1,2,3] This condition may be acute or chronic, and its diagnosis is mainly based upon information from the patient history and clinical examination [3]. After detailed clinical and radiographic examination, a diagnosis of an acute periodontal abscess in the mandibular left central incisor tooth was made. After his periodontal examination was concluded, an irrigation was performed supra-gingivally using 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution so that any local irritating factors, if present, could be removed as they may be the causative agents for his gingival inflammation. A periapical radiograph at the three-month follow-up showed signs of healing in progress (Figure 4)
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