Can pulpitis be cured?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 27, 2024
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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 be treated by tooth extraction?

Pulpitis should not be treated by extraction. Pulpitis is simply a painful response caused by an infection of the pulp tissue and can be managed by preserving the tooth through root canal treatment. First, drill to remove the infected dental tissue, and when the dental nerve is exposed, apply a nerve-killing medication. After the nerve is destroyed, thoroughly remove the infected tissue, then seal the root canal, and after inflammation is controlled, fill the root canal. With treatment, it is possible to preserve teeth with pulpitis and extraction should not be performed. Removing a tooth during an active episode of pulpitis may lead to the systemic spread of inflammation.

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How to deal with the pain from molar pulpitis?

Pulpitis in molars can be painful and requires dental treatment. During the treatment of pulpitis, the first step is to use a drill to remove the infected dentin and bone. If the dental nerve is exposed and the inflammation of the pulp is severe, a nerve-killing treatment can be conducted. In cases of acute inflammation, it is necessary to first open up the tooth. Once the inflammation subsides, nerve-killing treatment can proceed. Otherwise, the pressure is too great and the pain may intensify. If the pain is unbearable during the drilling process in the treatment of pulpitis, local anesthesia can be administered to the tooth. Once the anesthesia takes effect, the pain will be significantly less during the drilling stage.

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What are the symptoms of pulpitis?

Pulpitis is a painful condition that occurs due to bacterial infection of the dental pulp tissue. Pulpitis has its own typical symptoms, including pain triggered by temperature changes. Eating foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet can cause severe pain in the dental nerves. Additionally, temperature stimuli intensify the pain; both cold and hot water can cause tooth pain. During the acute suppurative phase, there is pain with heat and relief with cold, meaning drinking hot water causes pain, whereas drinking cold water can alleviate it. Another typical characteristic of pulpitis includes nighttime pain; often there is less pain during the day, but at night or after falling asleep, the pain can awaken the individual from sleep.

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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.

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Does pulpitis require hospitalization?

Pulpitis does not require hospitalization; it can be treated routinely in a dental outpatient clinic. Pulpitis results from the progression of caries. If dental caries are not addressed early with fillings, bacteria can infect further, reaching the dental nerves and causing symptoms of pulpitis. Severe pulpitis can cause pain when eating, pain at night, and poorly localized pain, which might radiate to the temporal area of the ear, causing intense discomfort. Routine outpatient treatments for pulpitis include nerve removal, anti-inflammation, and finally, root canal filling. A comprehensive root canal treatment can effectively resolve the symptoms of pulpitis, making hospitalization unnecessary.