A periapical tooth abscess occurs when bacteria invade the dental pulp — the innermost part of the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. Bacteria enter through either a dental cavity or a chip or crack in the tooth and spread all the way down to the root.

What bacteria causes periapical abscess?

The predominant species associated with dental abscess include Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Actinomyces, Peptococcus,Peptostreptococcus, and Porphyromonas as well as Prevotella oralis, Prevotella melaninogenica, and Streptococcus viridans.

Is periapical abscess common?

Dental abscessSpecialtyDentistry