Pulpitis is inflammation of the dental pulp resulting from untreated caries, trauma, or multiple restorations. Its principal symptom is pain. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and is confirmed by x-ray. Treatment involves removing decay, restoring the damaged tooth, and sometimes doing root canal therapy or extracting the tooth.

Pulpitis can occur when

• Caries progresses deeply into the dentin
• A tooth requires multiple invasive procedures
• Trauma disrupts the lymphatic and blood supply to the pulp

Pulpitis begins as a reversible condition in which the tooth can be saved by a simple filling. It becomes irreversible as swelling inside the rigid encasement of the dentin compromises circulation, making the pulp necrotic, which predisposes to infection.

Complications: Infectious sequelae of pulpitis include apical periodontitis, periapical abscess, cellulitis, and osteomyelitis of the jaw. Spread from maxillary teeth may cause purulent sinusitis, meningitis, brain abscess, orbital cellulitis, and cavernous sinus thrombosis. Spread from mandibular teeth may cause Ludwig angina, parapharyngeal abscess, mediastinitis, pericarditis, empyema, and jugular thrombophlebitis.

Symptoms and Signs

In reversible pulpitis, pain occurs when a stimulus (usually cold or sweet) is applied to the tooth. When the stimulus is removed, the pain ceases within 1 to 2 sec.

In irreversible pulpitis, pain occurs spontaneously or lingers minutes after the stimulus is removed. A patient may have difficulty locating the tooth from which the pain originates, even confusing the maxillary and mandibular arches (but not the left and right sides of the mouth). The pain may then cease for several days because of pulpal necrosis. As infection develops and extends through the apical foramen, the tooth becomes exquisitely sensitive to pressure and percussion. A periapical (dentoalveolar) abscess elevates the tooth from its socket and feels “high” when the patient bites down.

Diagnosis

• Clinical evaluation
• Sometimes dental x-rays

Diagnosis is based on the history and physical examination, which makes use of provoking stimuli (application of heat, cold, and/or percussion). X-rays help determine whether inflammation has extended beyond the tooth apex and help exclude other conditions.

Treatment

• Drilling and filling for reversible pulpitis
• Root canal and crown or extraction for irreversible pulpitis
• Antibiotics (eg, amoxicillinSome Trade Names
  AMOXIL
  TRIMOX
  Click for Drug Monograph
  ) for infection

In reversible pulpitis, pulp vitality can be maintained if the tooth is treated, usually by caries removal, and then restored.

In irreversible pulpitis, the pulpitis and its sequelae require endodontic (root canal) therapy or tooth extraction. In endodontic therapy, an opening is made in the tooth and the pulp is removed. The root canal system is thoroughly debrided, shaped, and then filled with gutta-percha. After root canal therapy, adequate healing is manifested clinically by resolution of symptoms and radiographically by bone filling in the radiolucent area at the root apex over a period of months. If patients have systemic signs of infection (eg, fever), an oral antibiotic is prescribed (amoxicillinSome Trade Names
AMOXIL
TRIMOX
Click for Drug Monograph
500 mg q 8 h; for patients allergic to penicillin, clindamycinSome Trade Names
CLEOCIN
Click for Drug Monograph
150 mg or 300 mg q 6 h). If symptoms persist or worsen, root canal therapy is usually repeated in case a root canal was missed, but alternative diagnoses (eg, temporomandibular disorder, occult tooth fracture, neurologic disorder) should be considered.

Very rarely, subcutaneous or mediastinal emphysema develops after compressed air or a high-speed air turbine dental drill has been used during root canal therapy or extraction. These devices can force air into the tissues around the tooth socket that dissects along fascial planes. Acute onset of jaw and cervical swelling with characteristic crepitus of the swollen skin on palpation is diagnostic. Treatment usually is not required, although prophylactic antibiotics are sometimes given.

Key Points

• Pulpitis is inflammation of the dental pulp due to deep cavities, trauma, or extensive dental repair.
• Sometimes infection develops (eg, periapical abscess, cellulitis, osteomyelitis).
• Pulpitis may be reversible or irreversible.
• In reversible pulpitis, the pulp is not necrotic, a cold or sweet stimulus causes pain that typically lasts 1 or 2 sec, and repair requires only drilling and filling.
• In irreversible pulpitis, the pulp is necrotic, a cold or sweet stimulus causes pain that typically lasts minutes, and root canal or extraction is needed.

Last full review/revision November 2012 by James T. Ubertalli, DMD

Content last modified December 2012