title: The prevalence of periodontal abscess.
abstract: The records of 5,467 periodontal patients in a military practice were reviewed for ADA case type 3 or 4, resulting in 203 patients (3.71 percent) in the two categories. These records were then examined for 1) sex of the patient; 2) occurrence of a periodontal abscess; 3) whether or not the patient was in active periodontal treatment at the time of the abscess; and 4) which tooth or teeth were involved. Periodontal treatment was shown to greatly reduce the incidence of periodontal abscesses among case type 3 patients. ADA case type 4 patients were much more likely to develop an abscess than case type 3 patients, and treatment had no effect on the rate of abscess formation in these patients. In those patients who developed an abscess while undergoing periodontal treatment, women showed a greater tendency toward abscess formation. Maxillary incisors and first premolars had the lowest rates of involvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Allied Dental Programs, Indiana University School of Dentistry, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Flanary
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Newell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000208:ethnology