Abscess of the periodontium is a localized purulent inflammation of the periodontal tissues1. It has been classified into three categories which are gingival abscess, periodontal abscess and pericoronal abscess. A periodontal abscess can be defined as a localized purulent infection affecting the tissues surrounding a periodontal pocket that can lead to the destruction of supporting structures4 including tortuous periodontal pockets, furcation involvement, and intrabony defects. The lesion may be acute or chronic abscess. A localized acute abscess may progress to a chronic abscess if the pus drains through a fistula into the outer gingival surface or into the periodontal pocket. (Copied from article).
Sinus on the chin can be the result of a chronic apical abscess due to pulp necrosis of a mandibular anterior tooth. The tooth is usually asymptomatic, and a dental cause is therefore not apparent to the patient or the unsuspecting clinician. Not infrequently, the patient may seek treatment from a dermatologist or general surgeon instead of a dentist. Excision and repair of the fistula may be carried out with subsequent breakdown because the dental pathology is not removed. This paper reports the presence of median mental sinus of dental origin in twins. One case healed following root canal therapy while the other required both root canal therapy and surgery to eliminate the infection.
This case report describes the management of a mandibular first molar with an additional distolingual root (radix entomolaris) and grade III cervical enamel projection through a multidisciplinary approach. Diagnosis for the case was endodontic-periodontal lesion due to non-vitality and associated advanced periodontal destruction. The patient was treated with drainage of the periodontal abscess with adjunct antibiotics, phase I periodontal therapy, endodontic therapy, radiculoplasty, regenerative periodontal therapy, replacement of the missing right mandibular second molar, and long-term maintenance. Follow-up of the patient up to 9 months has been uneventful. Cases of advanced periodontal destruction typically show some degree of tooth mobility, which was absent in this case. The article discusses the tripod effect as well as the increased surface area for periodontal attachment provided by the additional root contributing to the non-mobility of the involved tooth.
The prevalence of periodontal abscesses in emergency dental clinics was found to be between 8%-14%. The purpose of this study was to study the clinical features of periodontal abscesses seen in a specialist periodontal unit. There were 14 patients with equal distribution of gender. The mean age was 39.6 years. Twelve upper teeth (86%) were found to be involved as compared to two lower teeth (14%). There were more posterior teeth involved, a total of nine teeth (64%) as compared to five anterior teeth (36%). The mean pocket depth associated with the abscesses was found to be 7.4mm. There were ten buccal sites (71%) as compared to four palatal sites (29%). Average temperature of patients was 36.9° C. Only one patient was found to have cervical lympadenopathy (7%). The teeth involved were found to be mostly mobile with mobility of grade I to III (71%).
Presented is an unusual case of multiple external root resorption. Although the cause of this resorption was not determined, several possibilities are presented. Trauma from occlusion, periodontal and pulpal inflammation, and resorption of idiopathic origin are all discussed as possible causes.
Chronic apical periodontitis associated with dental pulp necrosis is the main cause of odontogenic extraoral cutaneous sinus openings. These tracts are often initially misdiagnosed unless the treating clinician considers a dental aetiology. This case report of a 19-year-old woman describes the diagnosis and treatment of an extraoral cutaneous sinus tract of odontogenic origin. Non-surgical conservative endodontic therapy was opted as the involved teeth were restorable. One month after the completion of obturation, there was closure of the sinus tract. One year follow-up showed complete resolution of the sinus tract with minimal scar formation.