Hallmarks of a functional medicine approach include: Patient-centered care. The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centered care, promoting health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease.
Abscesses can form very quickly. Sometimes they form only one or two days after the infection starts. There are two types of abscesses: A gum abscess (also called a periodontal abscess) usually is caused by an infection in the space between the tooth and gum.
In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause: 1  Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head. 2  Bone loss around the tip of the root. 3  Drainage problems extending outward from the root.