A dental abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum, and it doesn't clear up without treatment. Call (507) 555-0142 and we hold a same-day appointment at our Tracy, Minnesota office. One of our dentists finds the source, drains the infection when needed, and treats the tooth so the infection has nowhere to come back from.
The $539.47 figure is an estimated maximum, not a fixed fee. It covers a limited emergency exam, one dental X-ray and a CBCT (3D) scan if the dentist needs one. Your actual charge depends on the imaging you need, and a CBCT scan is not always necessary. Treatment is charged separately and explained before any work starts.
Same-day appointments · Phones answered 24/7 · In network with Delta Dental Premier · Payment plans available
Signs of a dental abscess
- A swollen, tender spot on the gum, sometimes with a pimple-like bump
- A salty or foul taste, or pus draining into your mouth
- A throbbing tooth that hurts to bite on
- Swelling in your cheek or jaw
- A fever, or swollen glands under the jaw
Go to the emergency room first if swelling is spreading toward your eye or down your neck, if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or if you have a high fever and feel very unwell. In Tracy that's the emergency department at Sanford Tracy Medical Center. Hospitals treat spreading infection. They generally don't treat the tooth, so call us after you've been seen.
What happens at your same-day visit
The dentist examines the area and takes an X-ray to find where the infection starts. An abscess at the root tip looks different from one in the gum. When the source isn't clear, a CBCT scan shows the bone around the root in 3D.
Treatment depends on the source. Often the first step is to drain the pus, which relieves pressure and pain quickly. Then the cause is treated: an emergency root canal to clean out an infected nerve, or an extraction if the tooth can't be saved. When the infection starts in the gum instead of the tooth, the dentist treats the gum pocket and talks with you about ongoing gum treatment. Antibiotics may be added, but they don't replace treating the tooth.
The area is numbed first with local anesthesia.
Cost of abscess treatment in Tracy
The emergency exam and imaging have an estimated maximum of $539.47. Draining, a root canal or an extraction are separate fees, and you hear them before anything begins.
We're in network with Delta Dental Premier and submit claims to other private plans when you have out-of-network benefits. Cherry, Sunbit, Proceed Finance, CareCredit and our in-house savings plan are available. The cost and insurance page explains more.
Why patients choose our 3rd Street office
Same-day times are held Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Call first so a room and a dentist are ready. After hours, a real person answers the phone, takes your details and holds the next opening. Imaging and treatment happen in one office. Parking is available.
Abscess treatment near you in southwest Minnesota
We're at 212 3rd St Ste 4, Tracy, MN 56175, in downtown Tracy. Patients from Currie and Lake Shetek drive north on county roads. From Walnut Grove, it's about 8 miles west on US 14. From Slayton, take US 59 north, then US 14 east.
Frequently asked questions
Can an abscess go away on its own?
No. It may drain on its own and feel better, but the source of infection is still there, and it usually returns. Untreated, it can spread into the jaw and neck. Call us so the cause can be treated.
Should I go to the ER or the dentist?
Go to the ER for swelling near the eye or in the neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a high fever. For a swollen gum or a painful tooth without those signs, call us at (507) 555-0142. We can drain it and treat the tooth.
What can I do until my appointment?
Rinse with warm salt water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs. Don't squeeze or poke the bump, and don't put heat on your face. If swelling spreads, go to the hospital. Our toothache page has more.