Endodontology: understanding the science Flashcards
Define Endodontology
The form, function, health of, injuries to and diseases of the dental pulp
Define Endodontics
Prevention and treatment of Endodontics infections
What can trauma such as a root fracture affect the pulp
Can cause ti to shrink as a defensive response (pulp shrinks and lays down secondary dentine)
Give some function of the pulp
- Develops the tooth
- Important in sensation
- Provides nutrition
- Defence
What is loose connective tissue
A connective tissue that doesn’t have many cells
Is mechanical cleaning of the tooth enough to clean root canals?
No you need to supplement it with disinfectant such as bleach
How does a pulp response to dental infection/ irritation
- Inflammation
- Recovery
- Lays down secondary dentine
- Anterior venous shunts
- Necrosis
What can increased inflammation of the pulp lead to and why
Pain as there’s increased blood flow in an enclosed space
What can untreated pulpal inflammation lead to
Pulpal necrosis
How can the pulp get injured
- Caries
- Dentists
- Trauma
- Loss of tooth substance through wear
- Periodontal disease
What type of bacteria are present in an infected root canal
Mixed aerobic / anaerobic species
What is the disadvantage of removing the pulp
Pulp death removes the line of defence which was provided by pulp dentine complex
Why might in some cases LA fail prior ro pulp extirpation
- Acute pulpal inflammation
- Hyper excitability of the nerve fibres
- patient factors
- Hyperaemic pulp
Give examples of patient factors that might affect LA effectiveness
- Variation in individual response to LA
- Pain threshold
- Anxiety levels
Which fibres if hyperactive coudl lead to LA failure
Hyperactive C fibres may mean LA solution is unable to lock conduction of thee impulses
Why can inflammation lead to failure of LA
- Increased vascularity of the tissues may remove LA more rapidly
- pH of the inflammatory products in the region of the tooth may be more acidic potentially denaturing LA solution
Name the steps invoked in Endodontics treatment
- LA
- Rubber dam isolation
- Accessing the pulp
- Preparation
- Intra canal medicaments
- Temporisation
- Obturation
What are the main functions of rubber fam in Endodontics treatment
- Protection of the airway
- Protection from irrigants
- Prevention of contamination
- Improved access and visualisation
- Patient comfort