Pulpitis

Aka: Pulpitis, Reversible Pulpitis, Irreversible Pulpitis

advertisement

II. Definition

  1. Inflammation of the dental pulp

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Tooth defect allows for dental pulp exposure to pathogens
  2. Predisposing defects in the tooth
    1. Dental Caries
    2. Tooth Fracture
    3. Apical foramen defect
  3. Course
    1. Initial: Tooth cavity develops
    2. Reversible Pulpitis
      1. Mild inflammation from encroaching pathogenic material
    3. Irreversible Pulpitis
      1. Pulp chamber is rigid and does not accomodate increased pressures
      2. Pressure occludes apical foramen vessels
      3. Dental pulp tissue necroses

IV. Symptoms

  1. Reversible Pulpitis: Mild tooth pulp inflammation and encroachment
    1. Pain triggered by hot, cold or sweet stimuli
    2. Provoked by lying supine
  2. Irreversible Pulpitis: Progresses from Reversible Pulpitis
    1. Severe tooth pulp inflammation
    2. Pain is severe, persistent and poorly localized
    3. Pain may radiate to ear, temple, eye or neck

V. Management

  1. Reversible Pulpitis
    1. Dental Caries debris removed
    2. Dental filling applied
  2. Irreversible Pulpitis
    1. Root canal or Tooth Extraction
    2. Do not delay management more than a few days

VI. Complications (of Irreversible Pulpitis)

  1. Apical Periodontitis
  2. Apical Abscess
  3. Periodontal Cellulitis

VII. Prevention

  1. See Oral Health
  2. See Oral Health in Children
  3. See Dental Caries

VIII. References

  1. Delaney (2017) EM:Rap 17(9): 5-7

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Pulpitis." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies

Related Topics in Tooth Disorders

advertisement