II. Indications: Dental Abscess
III. Approach: Technique
-
Local Anesthesia to Gingiva (2% Lidocaine with Epinephrine)
- Alternatively, regional dental block may be used (e.g. Inferior Alveolar Block)
- Identify most fluctuant area
- Make a 1 cm incision over the greatest fluctuance or make a small stab incision which is typically sufficient
- Aim toward alveolar bone
- Insert through periosteum
- Probe space with Mosquito hemostat
- Irrigate abscess cavity
- Insert gauze packing or penrose drain if room
- Secure gauze or drain with Silk Suture 4-0
- Remove drain within 48 hours
- Patient should rinse with warm saline
IV. References
- Delaney (2017) EM:Rap 17(10): 4