14. Endodontic Diseases

Question 1

what is endodontics?

Answer 1

study of the basic and clinical sciences of normal dental pulp, the aetiology, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp along with associated peri radicular conditions

Question 2

what diseases are included in endodontic disease?

Answer 2

• plural disease
• apical disease
• serious odontogenic infection
• other non endodontic disease

Question 3

what is pulp?

Answer 3

unmineralised tissue composed of soft connective tissue, vascular, lymphatic and nervous elements

Question 4

where is the pulp found?

Answer 4

central cavity of each tooth
- encased in hard tissue

Question 5

where is apical disease? (periapical)

Answer 5

acute or chronic inflammatory lesion around apex of tooth root

Question 6

what causes apical (periapical) disease?

Answer 6

bacterial invasion of the pulp of the tooth

Question 7

what is tooth decay/dental caries?

Answer 7

destruction of dental hard tissue by acid produced by bacteria utilising dietary sugar (and time)

Question 8

what symptom would the patient have if the pulp was inflamed?

Answer 8

toothache

Question 9

when the pulp is inflamed it causes tooth ache. describe reversible pulpitis?

Answer 9

remove decay and cover the tooth and its function

Question 10

when the pulp is inflamed it causes tooth ache. describe irreversible pulpitis?

Answer 10

likely to loose tooth

Question 11

what happens when the periodontal ligament becomes inflamed?

Answer 11

progresses to bone loss around apex of tooth
- apical periodontitis

Question 12

what is an acute abscess?

Answer 12

happens quickly
- accumulation of pus

Question 13

what is a chronic abscess?

Answer 13

happens slowly
- chronic apical abscess (sinus formation)

Question 14

what are the warning signs of abscess and cellulitis?

Answer 14

malaise
fever
cellulitis
lymphadenopathy
progressive and persistent swelling

Question 15

what is a dental abscess?

Answer 15

localised infection of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums which essentially initiate from bacterial infection.

Question 16

what are intra-oral symptoms of a dental abscess?

Answer 16

pain, swelling, erythema

Question 17

what are extra-oral symptoms of dental abscesses?

Answer 17

fever, swelling, tenderness to palpation, regional lymph node enlargement, spasm in the muscle, drooling, hoarseness

Question 18

what is a radicular cyst?

Answer 18

arises from cell rests of mallassez in periodontal ligament usually in response to inflammation after dental pulp

Question 19

how would you diagnose pulpal disease?

Answer 19

• take full medical history
• full dental history including pain
• examine whole mouth
• special investigations
• formulate diagnosis

Question 20

what are 3 causes of tooth decay?

Answer 20

• trauma
• periodontal disease
• iatrogenic damage

Question 21

how do you treat endodontic disease?

Answer 21

• root canal treatment
• root canal retreatment
• peri radicular surgery
• extraction
• incision and drainage

Question 22

what is peri radicular surgery?

Answer 22

surgical amputation
- removing the end of the root
last try at retaining the tooth

Question 23

what can cause severe complications of an untreated dental abscess?

Answer 23

• pulmonary pleural
• retropharyngeal
• intracranial infections

Question 24

what can prevent problems escalating to hospital admissions?

Answer 24

timely intervention to stop the problem before it goes to far