Endodontic Disease

Question 1

What is endodontic

Answer 1

Endodontics encompasses the study (practice) of the basic and
clinical sciences of normal dental pulp, the aetiology ,diagnosis,
prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp
along with associated peri radicular conditions.

Question 2

What is Hermann Prinz theory

Answer 2

“The object of the practice of clinical dentistry ..is to institute
preventative measures, to relieve suffering, and to cure disease.”

Question 3

What is pulpal disease

Answer 3

Disease of the pulp, which is the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth

Question 4

What is the pulp

Answer 4

Dental pulp is an unmineralized
tissue composed of soft
connective tissue, vascular,
lymphatic and nervous elements
that occupies the
central pulp cavity of each tooth.
It is soft tissue encased in hard
tissue.

Question 5

What is apical disease (or periapical)

Answer 5

Apical periodontitis (also termed
periapical periodontitis) is an
acute or chronic inflammatory
lesion around the apex of a
tooth root, which is caused by
bacterial invasion of the pulp of
the tooth.

Question 6

What is a common cause of endodontic disease

Answer 6

High sugar consumption

Question 7

What is dental caries

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What can progress from dental caries

Answer 8

Bacteria (microorganisms) from the caries can infect the pulp and cause pulpal disease

Question 9

What is the result if the pulp becomes inflamed

Answer 9

Toothache

Question 10

What are the two types of pulpitis

Answer 10

• reversible pulpitis
• irreversible pulpits

Question 11

What is the treatment in reversible pulpitis

Answer 11

Remove the tooth decay and cover the pulp

Question 12

What can be the treatment in irreversible pulpitis

Answer 12

• root canal
• tooth removal

Question 13

Describe what happens when the ligament becomes inflammed

Answer 13

-apical periodontitis (infection around apex)
- progress to bone loss around the apex of the tooth
- can result in abscess

Question 14

Describe an abscess

Answer 14

• can be acute/ chronic
• happens quickly, accumulation of pus
• happens slowly - chronic apical abscess

Question 15

What can result in an abscess if left untreated

Answer 15

If an inflammed ligament apical periodontitis goes untreated

Question 16

What are the warning signs of abscesses and cellulitis

Answer 16

• malaise (discomfort)
• fever
• cellulitis (inflammation)
• lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
• progressive and persistent swelling

Question 17

What is a dental abscess

Answer 17

Dental abscess - a localized collection of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums which essentially initiate from bacterial infection.

Question 18

What are the clinical features of a dental abscess

Answer 18

Intraoral features of dental abscess include pain, swelling, and erythema, whereas, extraoral symptoms comprise fever, swelling, tenderness to palpation, regional lymph node enlargement, spasm in the muscles (Flynn, 2000) in addition to trismus, hoarseness, and drooling.

Question 19

Describe a dental cyst

Answer 19

Arises from cell rests of
mallassez, in the periodontal
ligament usually in response to
inflammation after pulp death.

Question 20

What are some other causes of endodontic disease

Answer 20

• trauma
• periodontal disease
• latrogenic damage

Question 21

What treatment can you do for endodontic disease

Answer 21

• Root canal treatment • Root canal re treatment • Peri radicular surgery • Extraction • Incision and drainage

Question 22

What are some severe complications of an untreated dental abscess

Answer 22

• pulmonary pleural • retropharyngeal • intracranial infections

Question 23

What are some potential complications of endodontic infection

Answer 23

Osteomyelitis of the mandible • Maxillary sinusitis and orbital abscess • Wound botulism • Ludwig’s angina • Necrotizing fasciitis • Cavernous sinus thrombosis • Persistent pyrexia of unknown origin • Septicaemia – Streptococcus milleri and Pseudomon

Question 24

What are some non endodontic problems that can be mistaken for endodontic problems

Answer 24

• periodontal abscess
• sinusitis
• TMJD
• pericoronitis
• acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis
• oral ulceration
• trauma

Question 25

What is peri radicular surgery

Answer 25

Surgical removal of the root, last attempt at saving the tooth