Periapical periodontitis is an inflammation disease that occurs in the area of the apex and the surrounding tissues. Periapical inflammation is usually due to tooth infection which characteristically causes pain of tooth in its socket.

The main cause of Periapical periodontitis is infection. It may follow after the pulp tissue infection and necrosis. The second cause is trauma, any directly blow to the tooth can sometimes cause the pulp of the tooth to die. There are also causes of chemical stimulation and immunological factors, etc.

There are two kinds of periapical periodontitis: Acute periapical periodontitis and chronic periapical periodontitis. The symptoms of acute periapical periodontitis and chronic periapical periodontitis are different.

Symptoms of acute apical periodontitis

Usually, the affected tooth has a large decay area, a filling or may be discolored due to a dead pulp in the tooth.

The face may swell around the affected tooth.

The gum around the affected tooth is red and sore.

Sometimes acute periapical periodontitis is companied by fever and body discomfort.

Symptoms of chronic apical periodontitis：

The affected tooth is normally dead

Sometimes symptoms may be minimal or none at all.

Treatment of acute apical periodontitis

Extraction of the diseased tooth – this is the simplest and most effective method as it removes the source of infection and drains the pus.

Root canal treatment – the root can be retained by root canal treatment, which can also be used to drain the infection.