There are many different reasons why you may develop a painful tooth and may need same day dentistry Brooklyn NY, but one relatively common cause is called pulpitis. This is where the pulp right in the center of your tooth becomes inflamed. Your pulp contains blood vessels, connective tissues and nerves, and is a soft part of the tooth that helps to nourish the hard parts. Once your tooth is fully developed pulp isn’t strictly necessary so your tooth can function perfectly well without it although it’s then referred to as being non-vital. So what happens when the pulp becomes inflamed?
Painful Tooth, Pulp Inflammation
Inflammation is a sign that a part of the body is hurt and when this occurs the body’s response is to send extra blood cells and other cells to help repair the damaged area and to fight infection which can cause swelling. The problem with a sealed area such as a pulp is that there is no room for expansion as the pulp is surrounded by hard tooth structure. The swelling can put pressure on the nerves sending a signal to your brain that the tooth is painful. As a result you may find that things that were previously comfortable, such as breathing in very cold air, consuming hot or cold foods can suddenly be painful. Any type of tooth pain needs investigation so book an appointment with the dentist at the Eco Dental, Cosmetic and Laser Dentistry, NY as we will be able to diagnose the inflammation. There are two different types of pulpitis which are reversible and irreversible.
What Is Reversible Pulpitis?
If you only have a mild inflammation in your dental pulp then it may be reversible. It’s caused by anything that may be irritating the pulp, for example a cavity that hasn’t quite reached the nerve, previous dental work such as a filling or dental crown that perhaps hasn’t settled down yet, or a fracture in the tooth enamel which can expose the dentin underneath. Pulpitis can even be caused by something as innocuous as getting your teeth cleaned by a hygienist, particularly if you have periodontal disease and where the tooth roots may be exposed. Our dentists can diagnose the cause of reversible pulpitis before recommending suitable treatments to get rid of it. It could be something as simple as having a filling or even fluoride treatment.
Irreversible Pulpitis Treatment in Brooklyn
If the pulp is severely inflamed then pulpitis may be irreversible. This may be due to ignoring the signs of reversible pulpitis so the inflammation has progressed to a stage where the pulp has become badly damaged. Irreversible pulpitis can be caused by deep cavities that reach right into the pulp and where bacteria have caused extensive infection. It can sometimes be caused by orthodontic treatment where the tooth is moving too quickly so the blood supply in the pulp is cut off. The only way to treat irreversible pulpitis is to have root canal therapy.
There’s no need to worry as root canal therapy is a very routine treatment that will remove the damaged or dying pulp before the empty tooth is filled up with a restorative material. It’s likely to be permanently restored with a crown that will cover up the tooth to protect it.
