Endodontic Diseases

Question 1

what is endodontics?

Answer 1

it encompasses the study 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

where is pulpal disease?

Answer 2

inside the tooth

Question 3

where is apical disease?

Answer 3

around the root of the tooth

Question 4

where is serious odontogenic infection?

Answer 4

inside and around the tooth

Question 5

what is the dental pulp?

Answer 5

an unmineralised 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 6

what happens if the pulp becomes inflamed/infected?

Answer 6

it has nowhere to go because it is contained inside the enamel and dentine

Question 7

what is apical periodontitis

Answer 7

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 8

what is tooth decay (caries)

Answer 8

destruction of dental hard tissue by acid produced by bacteria utilising dietary sugar

Question 9

what is pulpitis and what is the result of this?

Answer 9

inflammation of the pulp and it results in toothache

Question 10

what is another name of inflamed ligaments?

Answer 10

apical periodontitis

Question 11

how does apical periodontitis occur?

Answer 11

progresses to bone loss around the apex of the tooth, bacteria spreads down pulp and root and into the bone, osteoclasts eat the bacteria but also the bone around the bacteria which causes bone resorption

Question 12

what is result of a quick formation of a dental abscess?

Answer 12

accumulation of pus

Question 13

what is a chronic apical abscess?

Answer 13

slowly forming abscess

Question 14

what are the symptoms of an acute apical abscess?

Answer 14

lots of pain and rapid swelling

Question 15

what are the warning signs of abscesses and cellulitis?

Answer 15

malaise, fever, cellulitis, lymphadenopathy, progressive and persistent swelling

Question 16

what is a dental abscess?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what are the intraoral features of a dental abscess?

Answer 17

pain, swelling and erythema

Question 18

what are the extraoral symptoms of a dental abscess?

Answer 18

fever, swelling, tenderness to palpation, regional lymph node enlargement, spasm in the muscles in addition to trismus, hoarseness and drooling

Question 19

what teeth is orbital cellulitis associated with?

Answer 19

upper canines and premolars

Question 20

what is a cyst?

Answer 20

fluid filled cavity

Question 21

what can oral cysts lead to?

Answer 21

fracture of the jaw

Question 22

what do oral cysts arise from?

Answer 22

cell rests of malassez, in the periodontal ligament usually in response to inflammation after pulp death

Question 23

what are the different treatments for endodontic disease?

Answer 23

root canal treatment, root canal re-treatment, peri radicular surgery, extraction, incision and drainage

Question 24

what is root canal treatment?

Answer 24

taking the nerve out the tooth and wash out with bleach, disinfecting the site of the tooth

Question 25

what is root canal re-treatment?

Answer 25

when root treatment done the first time sodium hypochlorite wasn’t used to kill the bacteria so the pulp gets infected again

Question 26

what is peri radicular surgery?

Answer 26

around the apex of the tooth, can cut out the infection and sew it back up again

Question 27

name 3 potential complications of endodontic infections

Answer 27

septicaemia, brain abscess, bacterial endocarditis