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)

VII. Prevention

VIII. References

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

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Related Studies

Ontology: Pulpitis (C0034103)

Definition (NCI) Inflammation of the dental pulp.
Definition (MSH) Inflammation of the DENTAL PULP, usually due to bacterial infection in dental caries, tooth fracture, or other conditions causing exposure of the pulp to bacterial invasion. Chemical irritants, thermal factors, hyperemic changes, and other factors may also cause pulpitis.
Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
MSH D011671
ICD9 522.0
ICD10 K04.0
SnomedCT 155638006, 196331007, 32620007
English Pulpitides, Pulpitis, Pulpitis NOS, pulpitis, pulpitis (diagnosis), Pulpitis dental, Pulpitis [Disease/Finding], dental pulpitis, Pulpitis NOS (disorder), Inflammation of tooth pulp, Endodontic Inflammations, Endodontic Inflammation, Inflammations, Endodontic, Inflammation, Endodontic, Pulpitis (disorder), Pulpitis, NOS
Italian Pulpite dentale, Infiammazione endodontica, Pulpite
Dutch pulpitis, tandpulpitis, Pulpitis, Ontsteking, endodontische
Swedish Pulpainflammation
Japanese シズイエン, 歯髄炎
Czech pulpitida, zubní dřeň - zánět, Zánět zubní dřeně, Pulpitida, záněty zubní dřeně, zánět zubní dřeně
Finnish Pulpiitti
Russian PUL'PIT, ПУЛЬПИТ
Korean 치수염
Croatian PULPITIS
Polish Zapalenie miazgi zęba
Hungarian Pulpitis, dentális pulpitis
Norwegian Pulpitt
Spanish pulpitis, SAI, pulpitis, SAI (trastorno), Inflamación de la Pulpa Dental, pulpitis (trastorno), pulpitis, Pulpitis dental, Pulpitis, Inflamación Endodóntica
Portuguese Inflamação da Polpa Dentária, Pulpite dentária, Inflamação Endodôntica, Pulpite
French Pulpite dentaire, Pulpite, Inflammation de l'endodonte
German Pulpitis dentalis, Pulpitis

Ontology: Reversible pulpitis (C0399405)

Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
ICD10 K04.0
SnomedCT 109599007
English Pulp hyperaemia, Pulp hyperemia, Pulpitis - reversible, Reversible pulpitis (disorder), Reversible pulpitis
Spanish hiperemia de la pulpa, pulpitis - reversible, pulpitis reversible (trastorno), pulpitis reversible

Ontology: Irreversible pulpitis (C0399406)

Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
ICD10 K04.0
SnomedCT 109600005
English Pulpitis - irreversible, Irreversible pulpitis (disorder), Irreversible pulpitis
Spanish pulpitis irreversible (trastorno), pulpitis irreversible