Procedure

Dental Incision and Drainage

search

Dental Incision and Drainage, Drainage of Dental Abscess

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