dentoalveolar abscess /den′tō·alvē″ələr/ [L, dens + alveolus, little hollow, abscedere, to go away] , the formation and accumulation of pus in a tooth socket or the jawbone around the base of a tooth. The pus results from a bacterial infection that is usually secondary to an infection or injury to the tooth or alveolar tissues. It is polymicrobial, with an average of 4 to 6 different causative organisms. Also called periapical abscess.
