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Pulpitis - Commonly Encountered Dental Emergency

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Pulpitis - Commonly Encountered Dental Emergency

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Unbearable pain due to pulpal inflammation is the chief concern for patients to visit dental clinics in an emergency. Read below to learn more about pulpitis.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Chithranjali Ravichandran

Published At May 24, 2021
Reviewed AtFebruary 22, 2024

Introduction:

Pulpitis refers to inflammation of the pulp. In other words, we can say that it is the pulpal exposure by extension of infection. It is one of the most commonly encountered dental problems by clinicians. It is associated with either sharp or spontaneous pain. Microbial infection increases the severity of the disease.

What Are the Types of Pulpitis?

Pulpal exposure is characterized by either trauma by any accident or penetration of deep caries. There is no age predilection, and both genders are equally affected. Even the vitality of the tooth can change from highly painful vital to non-vital. This exposure has two main stages:

1. Reversible Pulpitis - Reversible pulpitis is the first stage, which is characterized by pain on a hot stimulus, which goes on after the stimulation is removed. This pain is bearable by the individual, and at this stage, he or she does not visit the hospital. This lesion, when it becomes chronic, becomes irreversible pulpitis.

2. Irreversible Pulpitis - The pain of irreversible pulpitis is unbearable, spontaneous in nature, and lingers on even after the removal of stimulus (hot or cold). This stage of pulpal exposure is difficult to manage and may require immediate intervention. Microbiology-Infection in pulp is caused by severe infection by microbes.

What Are the Causes of Pulpitis?

  • A Cracked Tooth: An infection may result from a tooth fracture that penetrates the dentin and pulp of the tooth.
  • Dental Caries and Cavities: Pulpitis is most frequently caused by cavities. Bacteria, sweets, and improper tooth-brushing techniques are the main causes of cavities.
  • Dental Procedures: Pulpitis can occur following dental treatments such as crowns, dental fillings, or other procedures.
  • Advanced Gum Diseases: A bacterial infection is the root cause of periodontitis, an aggressive gum condition. Pulpitis can result from bone loss brought on by periodontitis.

What Are the Symptoms of Pulpitis?

Pain is the initial symptom of pulpitis. Either sluggish and achy, or abrupt, strong, and throbbing, could be the nature of the pain.

Reversible pulpitis symptoms include:

  • Intolerance for sugar-filled foods or beverages.

  • Sensitivity to cold for brief periods.

  • Sharp discomfort.

  • Tapping a tooth does not trigger any pain.

Irreversible pulpitis symptoms include:

  • Severe pain.

  • Unexpected discomfort.

  • Cold sensitivity that lasts more than 30 seconds.

  • Heat sensitivity.

  • Pain when tapping the tooth.

  • Swelling around the mouth and teeth.

  • High temperature.

  • Foul breath.

  • Pain that shifts.

  • Having problems identifying which tooth is hurting.

What Are the Different Types of Microbes Found In Pulpal Infection?

A variety of microbes are found in pulpal infection. They range from Actinomyces viscosus to Enterobacter faecalis. Streptococcus mutans is actively found in progressive pulpal infections. In addition, Treponema denticola and Lactobacillus acidophilus are also found in advanced infections. Culture remains the oldest and gold standard for dental infections. However, for early and rapid detections, numerous techniques are used like dark-field microscopy, PCR, molecular hybridization, radioimmunoassay (RIA), and immunofluorescence (both direct and indirect).

Pathogenesis:

Pulpal exposure, like other dental infections, is associated with the production of toxins. But unlike other dental infections, both endo and exotoxins are involved since the majority of bacteria are both aerobic and anaerobic. The process involves the release of these toxins by microbes resulting in a painful inflammatory response. The body’s immune system neutralizes this but in some cases, the infection penetrates the pulp. This causes reversible pulpitis. At this stage also, the infection is not so severe. But upon further penetration, infection is so severe that tooth mortality is at stake. The prescription of antibiotics and analgesics becomes an immediate necessity during this time. The associated pain is very severe (especially during the night) and disrupts the normal sleeping pattern. Even in some cases, the medications are also not effective. That situation demands immediate mechanical therapy in the form of root canal treatment (RCT) and pulpotomy (partial pulp removal in children). Also, the associated tooth structure loss has to be compensated with prostheses and crowns.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Pulpal exposure is very easily diagnosed because the history of trauma or microbial penetration causes intense pain. Usually, reversible pulpitis is characterized by sharp pain, but it is present on stimulus only, and it goes away when the stimulus is removed. Hence, it is for a short duration and is bearable. But irreversible pulpitis has severe pain which lingers on and goes for very many hours. It is not dependent upon the presence of the stimulus and therefore is a major concern for the individual. On clinical examination, there is pain on vertical percussion (reversible pulpitis), but in irreversible pulpitis, pain increases in intensity. There are chances of a grossly decayed tooth with greater visibility of the pulp chamber (pulp polyp).

There can be chances of bleeding from that point during treatment. This condition is called chronic hyperplastic pulpitis, which is one of the complications of irreversible pulpitis. Nowadays, besides clinical probing and percussion, we can use an electric pulp tester and test the cavity. However, there are chances of false positive and false negative tests in electric pulp testing. Hence, utmost training is a must for electric pulp testing. Test cavity is very much useful for differentiating between cracked tooth syndrome and pulpitis. The biggest challenge that remains for both test cavity and electric pulp testing is necrosed (gangrenous) pulp. It is most difficult to diagnose and is often unnoticed.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Treatment options are dependent upon the stages involved and tooth morbidity. Reversible pulpitis has pain for a short duration only, so in that case, indirect pulp capping (IPC) is the best treatment option. Certain studies have proposed that young pulps respond excellently to IPC. It usually requires the addition of calcium hydroxide to form a dentin bridge as a protective medium for pulp. However, certain cases do not respond well to IPC. These cases require root canal treatment (RCT), while pediatric patients are treated either with pulpotomy (partial pulp removal) or pulpectomy (complete pulp removal). RCT also involves the complete removal of the pulp. It employs many techniques like a step back, crown down, McSpadden, and vertical compression. Every technique has its advantages and disadvantages. Crowns could also be required in some cases with extensive loss of tooth structure. Some cases may require apexification (RCT with MTA (mineral trioxide aggregate)), while some may require extraction. Re-RCT (in periapical infection) may have a poorer prognosis.

What Are the Complications?

The commonest complication of pulpitis is chronic hyperplastic pulpitis. It is characterized by bleeding and growth in the pulp chamber. It becomes very difficult to manage it routinely. There can be chances of the periapical abscess also in long-standing chronic cases.

Conclusion:

Pulpitis is an inflammatory condition that is highly progressive and painful (nights extremely intolerant). The presence of microbial infection helps in deeper penetration and sometimes makes it difficult to manage. Complications make the treatment challenging in nature and cause mortality also. Hence, both clinicians and patients should be aware of the complications associated with it, and the condition should be done at the earliest stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Is Pulpitis a Dental Emergency?

Pulpitis is a dental emergency because it causes severe tooth pain. Also, if the pulpitis is reversible, it can be repaired and sealed by the dentist, preventing it from progressing to irreversible.

2.

What Are the Most Common Dental Emergencies?

The most common dental emergencies are
 - Head and neck trauma.
 - Broken tooth.
 - Tooth pain.
 - Tooth sensitivity.
 - Tooth infections. 
 - Mouth sores.
 - Signs of precancerous lesions. 
 - Abscess. 

3.

What Are the Causes of Pulpitis?

The cause of pulpitis is pulp exposure due to enamel and dentin damage. Thus the causes are
 - Tooth decay due to increased acid production in the oral cavity.
 - Cracks on the tooth due to hard food chewing or trauma.
 - Improperly filled cavities.
 - Aggressive grinding of teeth weakens the enamel.

4.

Should Irreversible Pulpitis Be Considered an Emergency?

Irreversible pulpitis is characterized by intense pain, which is challenging to treat with painkillers. Also, it is an advanced stage of pulpitis. Hence an endodontist's help is recommended to treat the condition.

5.

Should Gum Pain Be Considered an Emergency?

Gum pain with no other symptoms is usually not considered an emergency. However, if it is accompanied by bleeding, pus discharge, or swelling, it is regarded as an emergency, and treatment is performed immediately to relieve the pain.

6.

Is Pulp Necrosis Common?

Pulpitis is a common condition affecting younger and older individuals. The U.S. centers for disease control (CDC) reports one in four individuals is affected by pulpitis. This is because of the increased risk factors in day-to-day lifestyle.

7.

What Are the Types of Pulpitis?

Pulpitis is the inflammation of the pulp. It is classified as reversible and irreversible pulpitis based on the extent of involvement and whether the lesion can be reversed. For example, the dentist can repair and seal reversible pulpitis, but the pulp tissue in irreversible pulpitis is dead and cannot be repaired.

8.

How to Differentiate Between Reversible and Irreversible Pulpitis?

The response to the stimulus can differentiate between reversible and irreversible pulpitis. Reversible pulpitis is characterized by pain when exposed to a stimulus, whereas irreversible pulpitis occurs spontaneously a few minutes after the stimulation.

9.

What Is Closed Acute Pulpitis?

Closed pulpitis is also called pulpitis clausa. It is the inflammation of the pulp, where the pulp tissue is not exposed to the oral cavity. But inflammation can be identified on physical examination of the affected tooth.

10.

What Is the Initial Treatment for Dental Pain?

The initial treatment for tooth pain is the administration of medications, such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Aspirin. Also, a numbing gel can ease the pain if the patient experiences pain at night. In addition, a dentist can provide a dental block to relieve the pain immediately and prescribe the medications.

11.

How to Identify if Decay Has Reached Pulp?

If the decay has reached the pulp, the individuals may experience a bad taste in the mouth. They can also experience severe pain, which can be spontaneous or on pressure, and the pain can cause sleep disturbances and respond to heat, which indicates an infected nerve.

12.

Can Antibiotics Treat Pulpitis?

The administration of antibiotics does not treat pulpitis. Hence dentists usually recommend extraction or root canal treatment to treat pulpitis. However, a few dentists prescribe antibiotics to ease the symptoms.
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Dr. Bharat Joshi
Dr. Bharat Joshi

Dentistry

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root canal treatmentpulpotomyreversible pulpitispulpectomypulpitis
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