A dental abscess is a pocket of infection at a tooth's root or in the gum, and it needs a dentist the same day. Call (561) 372-2189 and we'll give you a time today at our Westlake office. We find the source, relieve the pressure and plan treatment that removes the infection, with the price in writing first.
The $99 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.
Open 7 days a week · Same-day appointments · $99 exam + X-ray · Se habla español
Signs you need dental abscess treatment today
An abscess can build slowly or show up overnight. Common signs:
- A throbbing ache that may reach your ear, jaw or neck
- Swelling in the gum, cheek or under the jaw
- A pimple-like bump on the gum, sometimes leaking salty or bitter fluid
- A bad taste or bad breath that won't rinse away
- Biting down hurts, or one tooth seems to hit first when you close
- Tender, swollen glands under your jaw
- Fever or feeling run down
A gum bump that pops and brings relief hasn't ended the infection. It has just found an exit for now.
The ER comes first when the swelling creeps up toward an eye or down under the jaw, when it's hard to get air or swallow, or when you're feverish and feel truly sick. ER at Westlake is near our office, and Palms West Hospital is on Southern Blvd. Hospitals manage the spreading infection. They generally don't treat the tooth itself, so call us once you're stable.
What happens at your same-day visit
Please call before coming in. We don't accept walk-ins, and a call lets us confirm that a dental chair, not an ER, is the right place for you today.
The dentist examines the swelling and takes the X-ray needed to find the source. An abscess usually starts in one of two places: inside the tooth, from a dead or infected nerve, or in the gum, from a deep pocket around the tooth.
Treatment aims to remove the source, not just calm it. Depending on what we find, that can mean:
- Draining the abscess to relieve pressure
- A root canal to clear infection from inside the tooth and keep it
- An extraction if the tooth can't be saved
- Treating the gum pocket where the infection sits
Sometimes the dentist will prescribe antibiotics alongside treatment, especially if swelling has spread. Antibiotics alone don't fix the tooth, though. You'll see each option and its written price before deciding.
Cost of dental abscess treatment in Westlake
The visit starts with the exam and X-ray. If you're paying without insurance, that's $99. With a PPO, HMO or Medicare Advantage dental plan, the exam and X-ray are billed to your plan.
Treatment cost depends on whether you need drainage, a root canal, an extraction or gum treatment. We write it down for you after the exam. Pay with cash or card, use an in-house payment plan, or apply for Sunbit, Cherry or CareCredit financing. More on our cost and insurance page.
Why patients choose our Persimmon Blvd W office
Infections don't keep business hours, so we keep long ones: weekdays from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, plus Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. After hours, a person answers the phone and holds the first opening for you. We accept most PPO and HMO dental plans and Medicare Advantage dental plans, offer payment plans and financing, and have parking on site.
Abscess treatment near you in western Palm Beach County
You'll find us on Persimmon Blvd W in Westlake, a few minutes from Westlake Adventure Park. Loxahatchee Groves and Arden are both a Southern Blvd drive away, turning north on Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd. From The Acreage, it's Orange Blvd to Seminole Pratt.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dental abscess go away without treatment?
No. The swelling may go down or the bump may drain, but the bacteria at the source stay put. The infection can flare up again or spread into the jaw and surrounding tissue. A dentist needs to remove the source, by root canal, extraction or gum treatment. Call (561) 372-2189 for a same-day visit.
Should I pop the bump on my gum?
Please don't. Squeezing can push bacteria deeper and irritate the tissue. Rinse gently with warm salt water, keep your head up when resting, and use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek. Avoid heat packs on the face. Then let a dentist drain it properly.
How fast can a tooth infection spread?
It varies. Some abscesses stay local for weeks. Others spread over a day or two, especially with a weakened immune system. Fast-growing swelling, fever, or swelling near the eye or throat are signs it's spreading. Those mean an ER first, and a dentist right after.
Is facial swelling from a tooth an emergency?
Yes, it should be seen the same day. Swelling means the infection has moved beyond the tooth. If it's mild and staying put, call us for a same-day time. If it's spreading fast, reaching your eye or neck, or making it hard to swallow or breathe, go to the ER first. Our guide to a swollen face from a tooth infection covers the details.