A
dental abscess (also termed a
dentoalveolar abscess,
tooth abscess or
root abscess), is a localized collection of
pus associated with a tooth. The most common type of dental abscess is a periapical abscess, and the second most common is a
periodontal abscess. In a periapical abscess, usually the origin is a bacterial infection that has accumulated in the soft, often dead,
pulp of the tooth. This can be caused by
tooth decay,
broken teeth or extensive
periodontal disease (or combinations of these factors). A failed
root canal treatment may also create a similar abscess.