Dental Abscess — Urgent Treatment in Scarsdale

What is a dental abscess?

A dental abscess is a bacterial infection that creates a pus-filled pocket. It can be:

• Periapical — at the root tip, from an infected nerve or deep cavity
• Periodontal — in the gum next to a tooth, from advanced gum disease
• Pericoronal — around a partially erupted wisdom tooth

Signs of an abscess

• Throbbing toothache or pressure that won’t quit
• Painful pimple-like bump on the gum (sometimes draining pus)
• Bad taste in the mouth or bad breath
• Swollen cheek, jaw, or lymph nodes
• Fever or feeling generally unwell
• Sensitivity to chewing or hot/cold

Before you arrive

1. Don’t squeeze or pop the bump.
2. Rinse with warm salt water several times a day.
3. Take ibuprofen for pain (if not contraindicated).
4. Cold compress on the outside if there’s swelling.
5. Book an appointment online.

How we treat abscesses

Emergency treatment focuses on drainage and infection control:

• Drainage — an incision releases the pus and immediately reduces pressure and pain.
• Antibiotics — usually amoxicillin or clindamycin if penicillin-allergic.
• Definitive treatment — root canal to save the tooth, or extraction if non-restorable.
• Pain management — ibuprofen ± acetaminophen, prescription if needed.

Antibiotics alone do not cure an abscess — the source of infection must be treated.

What it costs

• Emergency exam + drainage: $200–$500
• Root canal (if saving the tooth): $700–$1,400
• Extraction (simple): $150–$350

Insurance typically covers a portion. We accept most PPO plans.

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