CLINICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE PERIODONTAL ABSCESS
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to offer more information in order to help in recognizing and
characterizing of the periodontal abscess associated to periodontitis. A consecutive series of 29 patients
with the diagnosis of acute periodontal abscess were recorded during October 2008-march 2010 in the
Clinic of Odontology and Periodontology Tg.Mures regarding subjective and objective clinical
parameters. Microbiological samples were taken for anaerobic microorganisms. The patients were
selected based on the following criteria: edema, redness, tenderness and moderate pain related to a
periodontal area. The results showed that 18 (62%) abscesses occurred in untreated periodontitis
patients, 4 (14%) immediately after basic periodontal treatment and 7 (24%) developed during the
maintenance phase. A total of 20 (69%) cases were associated with molar teeth, 5 (17%) were upper
premolars, 2 (7%) lower premolars and 2 (7%) incisors. Moderate to severe pain was noted in 62% of
patients, edema and redness were noted with scores of moderate-severe in 93%, 84% and 75% of the
abscesses, respectively. The microbiological tests showed that Fusobacterium nucleatum,
Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia were the most frequent species found in the
periodontal abscesses from our study. In conclusion, the periodontal abscess is a moderately painful
clinical condition which demands emergency treatment in over 60% of the patients. The abscesses
involve teeth with severe destruction, associated with deep periodontal pocket depths, mobility, bleeding
and suppuration. This study shows that this condition has clear clinical and microbiological
characteristics and further investigation is needed in order to define efficient treatment modalities.
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