abscessed tooth
Definition
Noun: A painful dental condition characterized by a localized collection of pus (an abscess) in the tissues surrounding a tooth, typically caused by a bacterial infection. This infection often originates from an untreated cavity, injury, or prior dental work.
Usage
The term "abscessed tooth" is used to describe the specific condition of a tooth affected by a periapical or periodontal abscess. It is a medical/dental diagnosis.
Examples
- The severe, throbbing pain was a clear sign of an abscessed tooth.
- She visited the dentist immediately after suspecting she had an abscessed tooth.
- An untreated abscessed tooth can lead to serious health complications.
Advanced Usage
- Clinical Context: In dentistry, an "abscessed tooth" often requires intervention such as a root canal or extraction to remove the source of infection and drain the pus.
- Symptom Description: The condition is frequently associated with symptoms like persistent toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold, fever, and swelling in the face or cheek.
Variants and Related Words
- Dental Abscess (n): A more general term for an abscess in the teeth or gums, which includes periapical and periodontal abscesses. An abscessed tooth is a type of dental abscess.
- Periapical Abscess (n): An abscess that forms at the tip of the tooth's root, a common type of abscessed tooth.
- Periodontal Abscess (n): An abscess in the gums next to a tooth root.
Synonyms
- Infected tooth
- Suppurating tooth (more clinical)
Related Phrases
- To have an abscessed tooth: To be suffering from this condition.
- He couldn't sleep because he had an abscessed tooth.
Noun
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an abscess of a common kind in the tissue around a tooth
