Does pulpitis require dental fillings?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Pulpitis requires dental restoration. Pulpitis, caused by bacterial infection reaching the dental nerve, manifests as severe pain, including sensitivity to hot and cold, nocturnal pain, and diffuse pain that cannot be localized. Typically, pulpitis in one tooth can cause pain in the adjacent upper and lower teeth on the same side, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact tooth responsible. Before performing dental restoration for pulpitis, treatment of the tooth is necessary. This includes removing the infected dental nerve, followed by medication within the root canal and controlling the inflammation. Afterward, the root canal is filled. Thus, root canal treatment is required before dental restoration can proceed in cases of pulpitis.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Does pulpitis make it painful to tap the tooth?

Pulpitis does not necessarily cause pain when the tooth is tapped. When we talk about pain from tapping a tooth, it mainly refers to examining pain in the apical area. If tapping the tooth causes pain, it indicates that the inflammation has gathered at the root tip, manifesting as what is clinically described as tenderness upon percussion. Pulpitis may simply be a bacterial infection of the dental nerve, localized around the nerve or confined within the roots, where the nerve is infected but the apical nerve remains intact. In such cases, tapping the tooth would not cause pain. This means that in the early stages of pulpitis, there might not be tenderness upon percussion, but spontaneous pain from the dental nerve or pain triggered by temperature changes might still occur.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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The result of worsening pulpitis.

Pulpitis refers to the inflammatory lesion that occurs in the dental pulp tissue. The dental pulp mainly consists of loose connective tissue that includes nerves and blood vessels, and is located inside the pulp chamber of a tooth. Hard tissue diseases of the tooth such as deep caries and wedge-shaped defects can induce pulpitis if not effectively treated and controlled. Pulpitis is a disease caused by bacterial infection of the dental pulp. If pulpitis is not treated over a long period, it can lead to periapical periodontitis. Severe inflammation can cause space infections in the oral maxillofacial region and inflammation of the jawbone, potentially leading to systemic bacteremia or inflammation of other organs. Therefore, it is crucial to perform systematic root canal treatment for pulpitis as early as possible to avoid pain. It also helps to preserve the affected tooth, control the progression of pulpitis, and prevent it from developing into periapical periodontitis or even necessitating tooth extraction.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Will gingivitis cause gum pain?

Pulpitis is an inflammatory response of the dental pulp tissue caused by a bacterial infection. In the early stages of pulpitis, there is no pain in the gums, as the inflammation is limited to the roots of the teeth, affecting only the pulp within the root canals. This condition can be alleviated through dental treatment, and there are no symptoms in the gums. However, if pulpitis is not treated in a timely manner, the inflammation can progress to the root apex. If not properly drained on time, an abscess can form, meaning the inflammation would break through the gums and begin to discharge pus. This scenario can cause pain in the gums. Therefore, while early pulpitis does not cause gum pain, in the later stages, an abscess in the gums forms, and pain is experienced.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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What should I do if the pain from pulpitis is unbearable?

Pulpitis typically presents with spontaneous pain, paroxysmal pain, and pain due to temperature stimuli. The pain of acute pulpitis often cannot be localized. Only by visiting a regular hospital's dentistry department for pulp opening and drainage can the pain be relieved, followed by comprehensive root canal treatment. Additionally, if it is inconvenient to treat pulpitis pain, one can take oral anti-inflammatory painkillers, apply ice locally, crush a clove of garlic and place it on the affected tooth, or steam one part Sichuan pepper with four parts aged vinegar for ten minutes and then apply the moistened Sichuan pepper to the affected tooth to alleviate the pain. Ultimately, root canal treatment at a regular hospital's dentistry department is necessary. Regular oral hygiene is important, including brushing teeth morning and night, rinsing after meals, and using the internationally recognized Bass brushing technique. Cavities should be detected and treated early.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How many days can pulpitis be cured?

Pulpitis can only improve by undergoing dental treatment, with most cases clinically arising from the progression of dental caries. If dental caries are not promptly filled in the early stages to halt their progression, bacteria can further infect and cause nerve damage. After a nerve-killing treatment for pulpitis, pain generally subsides. The specific duration depends on the nerve-killing medication used; some act quickly, usually within 2 days or 48 hours, killing the dental nerve and thus alleviating the pain of pulpitis. Others may act slowly, requiring about 2 weeks, or approximately 14 days.