Pulp necrosis is the death of material within a tooth, caused by tooth cavities, fractures, or trauma. Symptoms include toothache, abscesses, and swelling. Treatment involves endodontic therapy, such as a root canal, to remove dead tissue and protect the tooth from future problems. If left untreated, it can lead to serious medical complications.
Pulp necrosis refers to the death of material within a tooth, which can lead to intense pain and discomfort for the patient. This can be a potential complication of tooth cavities, tooth fractures and trauma and can be considered a possible cause if a patient reports persistent toothache. Diagnostic tools used to identify pulp necrosis may include physical examination, imaging, and probing with dental instruments to collect samples and determine the nature of the damage. Treatment is important to prevent further complications and resolve the patient’s pain.
This condition initially begins with pulpitis, inflammation of the dental pulp that can cause painful sensations and irritations. As it persists and gets deeper, it can start killing pulp cells and the problem can spread to the jaw. Some patients develop abscesses or a pus-filled swollen area inside the jaw; this can be very painful. They may notice swelling and tenderness on the affected side of the mouth and have difficulty eating due to pain associated with pulp necrosis.
In the early stages, pulpitis can be treated to stop the inflammation and prevent its progression. If the patient does not receive treatment, the problem can spread and the patient can develop discoloration around the affected tooth. Abscesses can cause a foul odor and sharp pain which can lead the patient to go to the dentist for treatment. Once necrosis has set in, the patient will need endodontic treatment, in which the dentist enters the tooth to inspect it, remove dead and severely damaged tissue, and protect it from future problems.
The root canal is a common example of endodontic therapy. Simply removing the dead pulp is not enough, as the tooth may become unstable and is still prone to infection and complications. Instead, the dentist carefully addresses pulp necrosis and then fills the tooth with a sealant to insulate it from future infection and inflammation. Patients may need several days to recover from the procedure and be careful about what they eat and drink for several weeks as their mouth and jaw heal.
If pulp necrosis is not treated, it can lead to serious medical complications as inflamed and dying tissue spreads through the mouth. Jaw abscesses have the potential to rupture, putting the patient at risk of deep infection, as well as scarring and permanent bone damage. Serious dental infections can also cause endocarditis, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition in the heart muscle.
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