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Acute apical abscess with systemic involvement — NDEB AFK MCQ

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HardEndodonticsAcute apical abscess with systemic involvementNDEB AFK

A 44-year-old has facial swelling, fever, malaise, and severe percussion pain from tooth 3.6. The tooth does not respond to cold, and radiograph shows apical widening. What is the most appropriate treatment?

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Correct answer: E — Drainage or endodontic source control plus antibiotics

A necrotic tooth with swelling and systemic features needs source control through drainage, root canal treatment, or extraction, with antibiotics as an adjunct. Antibiotics alone are inadequate because the infected source remains. The pearl is that dental drainage is the definitive treatment for most odontogenic abscesses, while systemic signs justify adjunctive antimicrobial therapy.

Reference: BCCDC antimicrobial stewardship; endodontic reference texts