Is pulpitis the same as tooth decay?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 22, 2024
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Pulpitis is actually a pain response that occurs when tooth decay further develops inflammation reaching the dental pulp tissue. Strictly speaking, pulpitis is an inflammatory pain response of the dental pulp that occurs when tooth decay further develops bacterial infection of the dental pulp tissue. Pulpitis requires early dental treatment. For tooth decay, it is sometimes sufficient to remove the decayed infected dental tissue and directly fill it. In cases of pulpitis, where the dental nerve is already exposed, anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary. First, the infected dental pulp tissue is removed with a drill, and since the dental nerve is exposed, nerve-killing is required. After controlling the inflammation, the root canal is disinfected, medication is placed in the root canal, and then the root canal is filled, which means that a complete root canal treatment is needed.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to relieve the pain of pulpitis?

The pain caused by pulpitis can be alleviated through medication or root canal treatment. Pulpitis, a severe pain resulting from bacterial infection of the dental nerve, can sometimes radiate to the temporal area, causing ear pain or headaches. If not treated promptly, oral pain relief medications can be used for temporary relief; however, these drugs only serve as an adjunctive therapy and do not fundamentally resolve the tooth pain. The definitive solution requires root canal treatment, which relieves the pressure within the pulp chamber, alleviating the pain of pulpitis. After alleviation, further dental treatment is necessary. If the teeth are not treated following relief, further infection might lead to apical periodontitis, and in severe cases, can result in facial cellulitis, also known as a space infection.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
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Does pulpitis require tooth extraction?

Pulpitis does not require tooth extraction but necessitates root canal treatment. Pulpitis is a symptom caused by deep dental decay and bacterial infection reaching the dental nerves, manifesting as pain when eating or nocturnal pain. The inflammation in pulpitis is confined within the pulp and does not affect the root apex area. This infection can be resolved through comprehensive root canal treatment. The treatment begins with nerve devitalization; after the nerve is killed, infected dental tissues are removed using a drill, extracting the purulent dental nerve. Subsequently, medication is applied in the root canal. After inflammation is controlled, the root canal is filled. After treatment, the tooth affected by pulpitis can be preserved without extraction.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Will pulpitis cause swelling of the mouth?

If pulpitis is not treated and controlled, the infection can become severe, leading to swollen gums and causing severe pain. During this period, periapical periodontitis can develop. The emergency treatment for acute periapical periodontitis should involve opening the pulp chamber under local anesthesia for drainage, and using the root canal to drain in order to alleviate the pressure at the root apex and relieve pain. Generally, care must be taken to avoid the swollen areas during local anesthesia, as it may cause intense pain and spread of the infection. Hydrogen peroxide can be used for local irrigation.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Is pulpitis serious?

Pulpitis is a severe pain caused by bacterial infection of the pulp tissue, also known as the tooth nerve. The clinical symptoms of pulpitis are very severe, especially severe secondary pain, irritative pain, as well as indirect pain and pain that cannot be localized. Pulpitis results from the further development of dental caries. In the early stages of bacterial infection, if the carious decay of the tooth's hard tissue is not promptly filled, and if the progression of the caries is not timely halted, bacteria will further infect and cause inflammation of the tooth nerve, leading to pulpitis. This condition requires root canal treatment to alleviate the symptoms. Otherwise, the inflammation will further accumulate around the root apex, causing severe apical periodontitis and even leading to space infection or facial swelling.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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Pulpitis is sensitive to cold or heat?

Pulpitis is sensitive to both cold and heat, and this sensitivity is a symptom of the condition. The dental pulp is protected by enamel and dentin, and generally does not exhibit sensitivity. However, if there are deep cavities, split wedge-shaped defects, severe wear, or fractures that compromise the outer protection, it can lead to inflammation of the dental nerve and sensitivity to temperature changes. In such cases, nerve removal treatment, also known as root canal treatment, is required. Root canal treatment involves the removal of the pulp and necrotic material from the root canal, disinfecting it, and tightly filling the root canal to eliminate any infection that could adversely affect the surrounding periapical tissue and prevent re-infection. Root canal treatment requires three to four follow-up visits and can be costly. Therefore, it is important to detect and treat cavities early.