Tooth abscess

[leejaysmum]

Can anyone tell me why a Dentist wont remove a tooth that has an abscess? My dentist refuses to extract until the infection is cleared with antibiotics and Im curious to know why. Thanks

[douglas9401]

I think it's to avoid the possibility of blood poisoning.

[rowanwitch]

Because there is too much risk of the infection spreading into your blood stream...

[woofgang]

the other thing is that pus changes the ph of the surrounding tissue and the anaesthetic won't work so having the tooth pulled would be screaming agony. Mt dentist who i trust says he wouldn't let anyone do it to him and he sure as hell won't do it to any of his patients

[boxtops]

I endorse what everyone else has said - the dentist won't take it out while there's a risk of the infection spreading.

[leejaysmum]

Thanks guys! Its always oh so ovbvious when you find out the answer isnt it!

[Sqad]

I cannot see any rational reason based on well established surgical principles that a tooth cannot be extracted in the presence of an abscess.

General principles of an abscess is drainage.....i.e remove the tooth.
Septicaemia? why should this happen with the use of antibiotics?
Poor response to local anaesthesia?.........maybe a point here.

Perhaps a dentist ABer will put me right.

[chas2008]

had 1st hand experience, was due to go on holiday when i developed an abscess no time for antibiotics, so extracted without, 3 lots of injections made no difference whatsoever...all i can say is that it bl**dy hurt....something i wouldnt want repeated..

[Sqad]

Just found this:

http://jdr.sagepub.co...s&legid=spjdr;54/1/59

Abstract

Of 1,376 extractions performed in the presence of acute infection, 327 were performed in the presence of a coexisting fascial space abscess. No serious complications were observed. It seems that the relation of dental operations to the intracranial infections has been overestimated. The extraction of teeth in cases of acute suppurative infection treats the primary dentoalveolar infection and prevents the development of fascial space abscesses.

[chas2008]

just to add , it was all about the anaesthesia there was never any mention of blood poisoning.From what i remember the abscess has an effect on the surrounding tissue which prevents the anaesthesia working correctly, the injections i had didnt even dull the raging toothache i had been suffering with.

[Sqad]

chas....I think the anaesthesia is the main point.

[Answerprancer]

In the meantime, if you can get hold of some DF118 - that was the only thing that sorted it out when I had the most excruciating root ascess (obviously check for personal contra indications first). Failing that, any over the counter anti inflammatory that has dihydrocodeine in it is second best IME.

[NOX]

Yeah I agree squad, my ex had a huge abscess and they happily removed the tooth, just told her the anaesthetic might not be so effective- she was in such pain she really didn't care- had the tooth pulled, antibiotics and all was fine.

[Sqad]

Nox......that would be my assessment of dental extraction in the presence of an abscess.

[woofgang]

Yup, that's what my dentist says,. the pus changes the Ph of the surrounding tissue and the anaesthetic won't work (as I said)