Emergency Dentistry
Dental Abscess Treatment — Fast, Effective Relief
A dental abscess is a serious infection that requires prompt care. We provide compassionate, expert treatment in Elgin, IL, to relieve your pain, eliminate the infection, and protect your oral health.
Same-day emergency visits
We’ll see you quickly when you need relief.
Get to the source of the problem
We identify the infection and recommend the right treatment.
Compassionate, experienced team
We’re here to help you feel better, faster.
About Dental Abscesses
What is a dental abscess?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in the tooth, gums, or surrounding bone. It can develop from untreated tooth decay, a cracked tooth, gum disease, or a previous dental procedure. A dental abscess can be painful and may lead to more serious health problems if it is not treated promptly.
Common causes include:
- Untreated tooth decay (cavities)
- Tooth infection or trauma
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Advanced gum disease (periodontitis)
- Failed or deep filling
- Previous dental work
- Impacted tooth (such as a wisdom tooth)
Our Approach
Relieve pain. Eliminate the infection. Protect your health.
Our team will examine your tooth, determine the cause of the abscess, and create a treatment plan to relieve your pain and prevent future problems.
Comprehensive Exam
We’ll evaluate your symptoms, examine the affected area, and take X-rays if needed.
Targeted Treatment
We’ll address the infection, relieve your pain, and treat the underlying cause.
Ongoing Care
We’ll monitor your healing and recommend follow-up care to keep you healthy.
Treatment Options
Solutions for dental abscesses.
Treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection. Our team may recommend one or more of the following:
- Antibiotics to help control the infection (when needed)
- Drainage of the abscess to relieve pressure and pain
- Root canal treatment for an infected tooth
- Tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved
- Treatment for underlying gum disease
- Follow-up care to ensure the infection is fully resolved
When to Seek Emergency Care
Don’t ignore the signs of a dental abscess.
A dental abscess will not go away on its own. Seeking prompt treatment can relieve pain, stop the infection from spreading, and prevent more serious health complications.
Signs you may need urgent care:
- Severe, persistent tooth pain
- Swelling in your gums, face, or jaw
- A pimple-like bump on the gums (with pus)
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Fever or chills
- A bad taste in your mouth or persistent bad breath
- Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a dental abscess?
Common signs include throbbing pain, swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gum, a bad taste, or fever. Only an exam and X-rays can confirm it, so call us if you notice these signs.
Will antibiotics alone fix a dental abscess?
Usually not. Antibiotics can help control the infection, but the source, such as an infected tooth, needs treatment so the abscess doesn’t come back.
Is a root canal always needed for a dental abscess?
Not always. Depending on the cause, treatment may be a root canal, drainage, gum treatment or, if the tooth can’t be saved, an extraction.
What happens if a dental abscess is not treated?
The infection can spread to the jaw and other parts of the body and become serious. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling that is spreading quickly, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.