Acute periodontal abscess that caused gum pain and swollen gums. 1) This patient presented with this gum fistula between teeth #’s 7 & 8. She had acrylic teeth veneers placed on her two front teeth #’s 8 & 9 by her local dentist about two years ago. Her dentist had performed a gingivectomy last year to attempt to treat the occasional swelling of the gum in this same area. 2) The radiograph of tooth #9 shows a healed apicoectomy from 12 years ago that is not related to the current problem. 3) A gutta percha point was placed in the fistula gum boil and x-rayed to see where it went. It stayed at the coronal gingiva margin around the veneer. This problem could possibly have been avoided if the patient had been seen regularly for a dental prophylaxis teeth cleaning and she was given proper home oral hygiene instruction. Photo 1 of 2.

Acute periodontal abscess that caused gum pain and gum swelling. Close up photos. This problem could possibly have been avoided if the patient had been seen regularly for a dental checkup and prophylaxis teeth cleaning and she was given proper home oral hygiene instruction. Photo 2 of 2.

Acute periodontal gum abscess that did cause swollen gums but did not cause gum pain or tooth pain. This patient had not been to the dentist for a dental checkup or teeth cleaning – dental prophylaxis – for over two years. The x-rays look normal. The dental hygienist performed a dental cleaning prophylaxis and he was placed on a chlorhexidene mouthwash. He was rescheduled for scaling and root planing and then further reevaluation with the Periodontist.

Radiographic x-ray calculus. Calculus is dental plaque that becomes hardened by absorbing salivary calcium and then becomes evident on a dental x-ray. It is usually an indication of the chronic presence of plaque on teeth and can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. A dental hygienist will typically perform a dental prophylaxis teeth cleaning and teach oral hygiene instruction. Scaling and root planing may be the next gum treatment followed by an evaluation with the Periodontist.

Radiographic xray calculus demonstrates the need for oral hygiene. Calculus is oral plaque that becomes hardened by absorbing calcium in the saliva and then becomes evident on a tooth xray. The presence of dental calculus is usually associated with gingivitis – gum infection, swollen gums or bleeding gums – and periodontitis – more severe gum disease leading to jaw bone loss and teeth mobility. A dental hygienist will typical start dental treatment with a dental cleaning prophylaxis and then possibly follow next with scaling and root planing. This would then frequently be followed by an evaluation with the Periodontist.