What are the symptoms of pulpitis?

Written by Tian Hua
Otolaryngology
Updated on December 29, 2024
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Pulpitis is divided into acute pulpitis and chronic pulpitis. The symptoms of chronic pulpitis are not as apparent. When acute pulpitis occurs, it manifests as nocturnal pain, pain stimulated by hot and cold, spontaneous pain, and the pain is difficult to localize. Patients experience severe pain when rinsing with cold or hot water, or when brushing their teeth. The pain intensifies during the quiet of the night. Another symptom is referred pain; when one tooth hurts, it can cause pain in half the face and half the head. If these symptoms appear, it is generally diagnosed as pulpitis, and it is crucial to go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Does root canal treatment for pulpitis hurt?

During the treatment process of pulpitis root canal, there will be some pain. Pulpitis is caused by bacterial infection that leads to inflammation of the dental nerve, and the pain is very intense. First, the ocular nerve should be treated, and pulp extraction can be performed under local anesthesia. During this stage, if anesthetic is administered, the pain will not be so apparent. If no local anesthesia is applied, it is still possible to proceed directly with opening the pulp chamber, but there will be intense pain at the moment of opening. After opening the pulp chamber, the pressure is relieved, and the pain symptoms of pulpitis often can be alleviated. Additionally, medication can be sealed into the root canal, and after controlling the inflammation, the root canal can be filled. During the process of sealing medication and filling the root canal, stimulation of the root apex area may cause discomfort in that area.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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How to deal with pulpitis after pulpotomy?

Pulpotomy for pulpitis is the first step in root canal treatment. For patients with pulpitis, pulpotomy is typically performed under local anesthesia using pulp extraction tools to remove the pulp, including the crown pulp or root pulp, or an inactivator is sealed into the pulp chamber, and the pulp gradually necrotizes after a week. At this point, the root canal is cleaned, and the infected and necrotic tissues between the pulp chambers are prepared with root canal files to meet the treatment standards. The root canal is then filled with gutta-percha points, filling into the pre-prepared root canal until it is full, followed by filling the crown and shaping the exterior. Generally, the root canal treatment process requires two to three sessions to complete. During the acute phase, the pulpotomy is usually left open for treatment right after, and it is recommended to take anti-inflammatory medication for two to three days. After the tooth pain eases, the root canal cleaning is then carried out. Thus, it is important to maintain oral hygiene regularly, brush teeth in the morning and evening, and rinse after meals. It is vital to detect and treat dental caries early.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Can pulpitis be cured?

Pulpitis is a condition that arises from the further progression of dental caries, which is a defect in the hard tissues of a tooth caused by bacterial infection. If the caries is not treated in time to stop its further progression, bacteria will further infect and cause inflammation of the dental nerve, also known as the pulp tissue. The innermost part of a tooth contains the dental nerve, surrounded by hard dental bone and dentin. Therefore, once the dental nerve becomes inflamed, the pain can be very severe. However, pulpitis can improve after root canal treatment, meaning it is curable, but it requires root canal treatment of the tooth. If not treated promptly, it will not heal on its own. If pulpitis is not treated in time, it can further progress to form periapical abscess, and in severe cases, it can cause facial swelling.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Can pulpitis heal by itself?

Pulpitis can pathologically be divided into reversible pulpitis and irreversible pulpitis. Reversible pulpitis can sometimes heal on its own if external thermal stimuli are removed. Clinically, it may manifest as pain intensified by temperature stimuli, which disappears after the stimuli are removed. This condition can improve on its own with appropriate soothing treatment. If pulpitis progresses to irreversible pulpitis, it cannot heal on its own and requires prompt root canal treatment to alleviate the condition. If it worsens, it may lead to symptoms of apical periodontitis, hence root canal treatment needs to be performed as soon as possible for pulpitis.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Pulpitis alleviated by cold water

Relief from pulpitis with cold water is a typical clinical manifestation of acute suppurative pulpitis, characterized by pain with heat and relief with cold. It is common to see patients coming to the clinic holding cold water or holding cold water in their mouth to help alleviate the pain. For this type of acute suppurative pulpitis, the initial treatment should involve opening the pulp to relieve pressure. After the pressure is relieved, a devitalizing agent is used to devitalize the tissue, which is commonly referred to as "killing the nerve." Once the nerve is dead, the pulp tissue loses its sensory function, and the intensity of the pain will be alleviated.