The tender tooth. Dentoalveolar, pericoronal, and periodontal infections.

Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most common afflictions of the tooth. These infectious diseases cause considerable pain and discomfort and ultimately loss of the tooth. Apart from local effects, these infections may extend beyond natural barriers and result in complications that can vary in severity from the excruciating pain of acute pulpitis to life-threatening infections of the deep fascial spaces of the head and neck. In this article, the clinical and pathologic features of dental caries, pulpitis, periapical abscess, pericoronitis, and periodontal infections are discussed as well as prevention and treatment of infections involving the tooth, with emphasis on endocarditis prophylaxis.