Related articles: Pulpitis
Definition
Pulpitis is the inflammation of the tooth pulp. It can occur when untreated caries penetrate deep into the dentin and, by approaching the pulp, cause inflammatory processes supported by bacteria. In other cases, the pulpitis is a consequence of trauma or other injuries on the tooth.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Halitosis
- Sensitive Teeth
- Jaw pain
- Pain associated with chewing
- Toothache
Further indications
The main symptom of pulpitis is pain, which appears when a stimulus (hot, cold or sweet) is applied to the tooth. The tooth becomes increasingly sensitive to pressure and percussion. In the most serious cases, the pain is spontaneous, pulsating and continuous; the patient may have difficulty locating the tooth from which the pain originates.
Clinical evaluation and dental X-rays confirm the diagnosis.
Pulpitis is a reversible disease when the tooth can be recovered with caries removal and a simple filling. Unfortunately it becomes irreversible when the swelling below the dentine is such as to interrupt the lymphatic and blood circulation of the pulp. Possible consequence is pulp necrosis, where the pulp dies and predisposes to infection (dental abscess). In the most serious cases, treatment may involve treatment of the root canal (in practice, the pulp is removed) or tooth extraction. If an infection is present, antibiotic-based therapy (eg amoxicillin) is prescribed.
