Diagnosis

In addition to examining your tooth and the surrounding area, your dentist may:

• Tap on your teeth. A tooth that has an abscess at its root is generally sensitive to touch or pressure.
• Recommend an X-ray. An X-ray of the aching tooth can help identify an abscess. Your dentist may also use X-rays to determine whether the infection has spread, causing abscesses in other areas.
• Recommend a CT scan. If the infection has spread to other areas within the neck, a CT scan may be used to assess the extent of the infection.