The Use of Facial CT for the Evaluation of a Suspected Simple Dentoalveolar Abscess in the Emergency Department.

Introduction: Facial computed tomography (CT) is often performed in the emergency department as a part of the diagnostic workup for patients presenting with the signs and symptoms of dentoalveolar abscess (DA). This investigation evaluated the diagnostic yield of the facial CT and its effects on management change in patients suspected of DA. Furthermore, we assessed secondary consequences of routine facial CT use in this population by using turn-around time (TAT), cost, and radiation exposure as the key parameters.