an abscess in the bone around the apex of a tooth. An acute abscess is extremely painful, causing swelling of the jaw and sometimes also the face. A chronic abscess may cause no pain or swelling. An abscess invariably results from damage to and infection of the pulp of the tooth. Treatment is drainage and root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth; antibiotics may give temporary relief.
* * *
1. an abscess at the apex of an organ. 2. inflammation of tissues around the apex of a tooth, with pus formation, owing to infection that has spread from pulp infection through a carious lesion or because of an injury causing pulp necrosis. Called also alveolar a., dentoalveolar a., and periapical a.Medical dictionary. 2011.