DENTAL INFECTIONS

Question 1

______ is inflammation of the dental pulp resulting from untreated caries, trauma, or multiple restorations. Its principle symptom is pain.

Answer 1

Pulpitis

Question 2

Pulpitis Treatment involves

Answer 2

removing decay, restoring the damaged tooth, and sometimes performing root canal therapy or extracting the tooth

Question 3

Pulpitis begins as a reversible condition in which the tooth can be saved by _____

Answer 3

a simple filling.

Question 4

In ____________ 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

Answer 4

irreversible pulpitis

Question 5

Infectious sequelae of pulpitis include

Answer 5

apical periodontitis,
periapical abscess,
cellulitis,
osteomyelitis of the jaw.

Question 6

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

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Irreversible pulpitis and its sequelae requires what type of therapy?

Answer 7

endodontic (root canal) therapy or tooth

extraction

Question 8

If the patient has systemic signs of infection,

such as fever what would you give?

Answer 8

oral antibiotic is prescribed
Penicillin
or
clindamycin for patients who are allergic

Question 9

Irreversible pulpitis

If symptoms persist of worsen, _________ is usually repeated in case a root canal was missed.

Answer 9

root canal therapy

Question 10

________ is an acute or chronic inflammatory lesion around the apex of a tooth root which usually caused by bacterial invasion from the pulp of a necrotic tooth.

Answer 10

Periapical Periodontitis

Question 11

Periapical Periodontitis

Symptomatic vs Asymptomatic

Answer 11

Symptomatic: painful response to biting and/or percussion. May or may not be accompanied by radiographic changes

Asymptomatic: does not illicit pain to biting or
percussion. Appears as apical radiolucency

Question 12

Treatment Periapical Periodontitis.

Answer 12

(1) Symptomatic treatment
(2) Antibiotics
(3) Referral to dental for root canal therapy or tooth extraction.

Question 13

An ________ is a collection of pus within the periodontium caused by the body’s immune
response to a bacterial infection.

Answer 13

abscess

Question 14

______________ is a collection of pus at the apex of a tooth, usually caused by an infection that has spread from the apical foramen of a tooth with irreversible pulpitis to the surrounding tissues. It is a sequelae of Periapical Periodontitis.

Answer 14

Periapical abscess

Question 15

____________ is a collection of pus within the periodontium that occurs alongside a tooth as a result of an infection not caused by its root. It can be the result of food impaction in the sulcus, improperly scaled teeth, or penetration

Answer 15

Periodontal abscess

Question 15

____________ is a collection of pus within the periodontium that occurs alongside a tooth as a result of an infection not caused by its root. It can be the result of food impaction in the sulcus, improperly scaled teeth, or penetration

Answer 15

Periodontal abscess

Question 16

Periodontal abscess tx

Answer 16

(a) Systemic pain relief
(b) Drainage via gentle irrigation and dental scaling, else I & D.
(c) Antibiotics

Question 17

Periapical abscess tx

Answer 17

(a) Systemic pain relief
(b) Drainage via I & D
(c) Antibiotics
(d) Refer to dental for root canal therapy or tooth extraction

Question 18

________ is inflammation of the gingiva, producing bleeding with swelling, redness, exudate, a change of normal contours, and occasionally, discomfort.

Answer 18

Gingivitis

Question 19

The most common cause of gingivitis is _________ which allows plaque to accumulate between the gingiva and teeth (sulcus).

Answer 19

poor oral hygiene

Question 20

True/False
Gingivitis may be an early sign of a systemic disorder, particularly those that affect the response to infection particularly if it occurs in patients with minimal dental plaque.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is an acute, painful inflammation of the gingival flap over a partially erupted tooth, usually around mandibular 3rd molars (wisdom teeth). Infection is common, and an abscess may develop.

-often recurs as food gets trapped beneath the
flap.

Answer 21

Pericoronitis

Question 22

Prevention of Gingivitis

Answer 22

• Daily removal of plaque with dental floss and a toothbrush
• routine cleaning by a dentist or hygienist at 6-mo to 1-yeaer intervals can help prevent gingivitis

Question 23

When do you refer gingivitis and for what?

Answer 23

Refer to dental for cleaning if unable to resolve with personal hygiene