A dental abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum beside it. It doesn't clear up on its own, and it can spread. Call (863) 555-0170 and we'll see you the same day, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM, to drain the infection, treat the tooth and get you comfortable.
The $70 is a minimum fee for patients paying without insurance. It covers a limited, problem-focused emergency exam (ADA code D0140) and the X-ray needed to diagnose the tooth. Treatment is priced separately and quoted to you in writing before any work starts.
Same-day appointments · $70 exam + X-ray · Phones answered 24/7 · Se habla español
Signs you need abscess treatment today
- A swollen, tender lump on the gum, sometimes with a white or yellow head
- Throbbing pain in one tooth that spreads to the jaw, ear or neck on that side
- A sudden foul taste or smell, which can mean the abscess has started to drain on its own
- Swelling of the cheek or jaw, or a face that looks uneven
- Fever, feeling generally unwell, or swollen glands under the jaw
- A tooth that feels tall, so it hits first when you bite
Some symptoms need a hospital before a dentist: swelling that closes an eye or spreads down the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a high fever with confusion. Go to the nearest emergency room. Winter Haven Hospital is on First Street North near downtown. Call us once you've been seen.
What happens at your same-day visit
Our dentist examines the swelling and takes an X-ray to find the source. An abscess at the root tip usually comes from a dead or infected nerve inside the tooth. An abscess in the gum usually comes from a deep pocket of gum disease or something lodged under the gum.
Treatment starts with getting the pressure out. The area is numbed and the abscess is drained, which often brings relief within minutes. Then the cause is dealt with: a root canal to clean out an infected nerve, deep cleaning under the gum for a gum abscess, or an extraction if the tooth can't be saved. Antibiotics are prescribed when the infection has spread into the surrounding tissue; on their own they calm an abscess but don't cure it. You get the diagnosis and a written price before any of this begins.
Cost of abscess treatment in Winter Haven
The visit starts with the $70 exam and X-ray for patients paying without insurance. Draining, root canal, cleaning or extraction are each priced separately, and our dentist quotes the exact figure in writing before starting. We accept most PPO dental plans and several Medicare Advantage plans. Cherry and CareCredit financing are available. See the cost and insurance page.
Why patients choose our Winter Haven office
An abscess is the one dental problem where a day genuinely matters, so we keep same-day emergency times and open at 8:00 AM. Calls are answered around the clock by a real person, and an overnight caller with a swollen jaw is held the first morning slot. Diagnosis, drainage and treatment happen in one office at one visit. Spanish is spoken by our staff during office hours.
Dental abscess treatment near you in Winter Haven
Our office is at 1178 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881, on Havendale Boulevard NW just west of US 17. From Eagle Lake and south Winter Haven, US 17 north brings you straight to Havendale; from Lake Alfred it's US 17 south. Inwood patients are a few minutes along Havendale Boulevard. Parking on site.
Frequently asked questions
Is a tooth abscess an emergency?
Yes. The infection sits in a closed space and can spread into the jaw, the face or the bloodstream. Most abscesses are handled comfortably in a dental office the same day; the ones that have already spread need a hospital. Call (863) 555-0170 and describe the swelling, and we'll tell you which applies.
Will antibiotics alone fix an abscess?
No. Antibiotics reduce the spread and the swelling, but the source, whether a dead nerve or an infected pocket, has to be drained and treated or the abscess returns. Antibiotics are a bridge to treatment, not a substitute for it.
The abscess burst and the pain went away. Do I still need to come in?
Yes. When a gum boil pops, the pressure drops and the pain eases, but the infection is still there and will refill. The tooth needs the same treatment it needed before it drained.
Can an abscess make me sick?
It can. Fever, chills, fatigue and swollen glands mean the infection is beyond the tooth. Those symptoms deserve same-day care, and if they come with facial swelling that is spreading or trouble swallowing, go to an emergency room first.